Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Introduction

This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a delightful blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors. It’s perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or a tasty sandwich filling. The creamy poppy seed dressing ties all the ingredients together beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons honey (softened)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• Salt, to taste
• 4 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped (about 2 chicken breasts)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 4 green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Season with salt to taste.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the chopped chicken, pecans, dried cranberries, and green onions. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Add additional salt if needed.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the salad.
• Substitute Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise and sour cream for a lighter dressing.
• Add celery or apples for more texture and a fresh twist.
• Use cooked turkey instead of chicken for a different protein option.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best texture, add nuts and cranberries just before serving if you plan to keep it longer. Reheat is not recommended, as this salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a day in advance. Keep it refrigerated and add nuts and dried cranberries just before serving to maintain their crunch.

Is this salad freezer-friendly?

It’s not recommended to freeze this chicken salad as the dressing and crunchy ingredients can become watery or soggy after thawing.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 58 reviews

• Author: Victor
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a delightful blend of tender chicken breast, crunchy pecans, and sweet dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy and tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or a fresh sandwich filling, this salad offers a balanced mix of textures and flavors that is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons honey (softened)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• Salt (to taste)

Salad

• 4 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped (about 2 chicken breasts)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 4 green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Season with salt according to your taste preference.
2. Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked, chopped chicken breast, chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and chopped green onions. Mix the ingredients gently to distribute them evenly.
3. Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over the chicken salad mixture. Toss everything together carefully to ensure all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Adjust salt if needed.
4. Chill and Serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled as a salad on its own, in sandwiches, or on a bed of greens.

Notes

• You can use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
• Chop pecans to your preferred size for texture variation.
• This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• Add celery for extra crunch if desired.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken salad, Cranberry pecan chicken salad, Poppy seed dressing, Healthy chicken salad, Easy chicken salad recipe