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Cranberry Chicken Salad

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Cranberry Chicken Salad is a light, flavorful, and nutritious dish that combines tender chicken with sweet cranberries, crunchy nuts, and a creamy dressing. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or a holiday gathering, and can be served on its own, in a wrap, or on top of greens.

Ingredients

  1. 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (preferably rotisserie chicken)
    1/2 cup dried cranberries
    1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
    1/4 cup celery, diced
    1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
    1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
    1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    1 tablespoon honey (optional, for sweetness)
    1 tablespoon lemon juice
    Salt and pepper, to taste
    2 cups mixed greens (optional, for serving)
    1/4 cup feta cheese or goat cheese (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t already, shred or dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use rotisserie chicken for ease, or cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs.

  1. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
  2. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cranberries, chopped nuts, celery, and red onion. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Serve: If serving on a bed of greens, arrange the mixed greens on plates and top with the cranberry chicken salad. Garnish with crumbled feta or goat cheese, if desired. You can also serve this salad as a wrap, in a sandwich, or in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
  4. Chill (Optional): For the best flavor, chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Notes

  • Feel free to add diced apples, grapes, or cucumber for extra crunch and freshness.
  • For a dairy-free version, skip the cheese and use dairy-free yogurt or mayo.
  • For more protein, include hard-boiled eggs or bacon bits.
  • Swap the pecans or walnuts with almonds, pistachios, or cashews for a different twist.
  • If you prefer a sweeter salad, increase the honey or add a little maple syrup to the dressing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/cranberry-chicken-salad/