Easy Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad

This is the kind of salad you want when you do not feel like cooking. The kind of salad we love- creamy, sweet, tart, with loads of protein! If you bought a rotisserie chicken at home and did not know what to do with it, it’s a perfect salad recipe! The salad is creamy, crispy, sweet, and tart, all at the same time. The original recipe calls for mayonnaise, but I have also made this with Greek yogurt. If I am serving this to a guest or packing it for a picnic, I use only mayonnaise, but almost every other time, it’s usually just Greek yogurt. In just 15 minutes, you can relish a wholesome, healthy meal without extensive preparation, planning, or post-meal cleanup. Another great sandwich filling is this additive crack chicken made in the instant pot. Also, if you like salads with fruits, you must try my summer melon ball salad.

Ingredients for cranberry chicken salad

Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this delicious recipe See the recipe card for quantities.

How to make pecan cranberry chicken salad

The salad is best served cold or at room temperature. That’s why leftover chicken, like rotisserie chicken, would work better while making it.

Step 1: Prep

I like to toast the pecans, especially if I have had them for a while. You can also air fry them for 5-6 minutes, as I explain in the air fryer roast peanuts recipe. If you have fresh uncooked chicken, boil it for 10-12 minutes till the insides are cooked. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Mixing

Whisk together the lemon juice, mayonnaise(or Greek yogurt), and Italian seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Add all of the ingredients to the dressing and give it a toss.

Storage

The best thing about this salad is that it lasts well in the refrigerator. If you are not eating it in a couple of hours, pecan chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Plus, it tastes great cold or at room temperature, and that’s why it’s a great meal prep option.