Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad that combines tender chicken with sweet apples, crunchy pecans, celery, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise dressing with a hint of lemon juice and fresh herbs. Perfect for sandwiches, lettuce cups, or meal prep lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 12 oz. cooked and cubed or shredded chicken (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup finely diced apple
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 1/3 cup finely diced celery
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3-1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Optional: 1-2 Tbsp fresh herbs (like tarragon, dill, or parsley)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, finely diced apple, toasted pecans, celery, and dried cranberries. Mix gently to distribute evenly.
- Add Dressing Ingredients: Add 1/3 cup of mayonnaise along with fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional fresh herbs to the bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine. Add additional mayonnaise up to 1/2 cup if you prefer a creamier consistency.
- Taste & Adjust: Taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired to suit your flavor preference.
- Serve & Store: Serve the chicken salad immediately on sandwiches, in lettuce cups, or on your favorite bread. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- This chicken salad with apples is one of the best combinations of savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy flavors, perfect for meal-prep lunches.
- For a gluten-free option, serve in lettuce cups or gluten-free bread.
- Substitute mayonnaise with vegan mayo for a dairy-free variation.
- Fresh herbs like tarragon, dill, or parsley add a bright, fresh flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Toast pecans lightly to enhance their flavor and crunch before adding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.75 cup chicken salad
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 9.2 g
- Sodium: 435.6 mg
- Fat: 15.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 15.3 g
- Cholesterol: 45.1 mg
