Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts is a delightful combination of tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and creamy dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or as a flavorful sandwich filling that balances sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine chicken, cranberries, walnuts, celery, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently until well coated.
- Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
- Serve chilled on a bed of greens, in sandwiches, or wraps.
Notes
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter option.
- Add diced apples or grapes for extra sweetness and crunch.
- Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds.
- Mix in dried cherries or raisins instead of cranberries.
- Add curry powder or fresh herbs like dill or basil for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
