Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a festive, flavorful dish perfect for holiday gatherings! Tender chicken, crunchy pecans, and sweet cranberries are tossed in a creamy honey-poppy seed dressing—ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a light lunch. Serve on greens, in sandwiches, or as a side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for chicken if it's uncooked)
- Total Time: 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Holiday Recipe
- Method: Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
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½ cup mayonnaise
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¼ cup sour cream
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2 tbsp honey (softened)
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp poppy seeds
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Salt to taste
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Salad
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4 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped (~2 breasts)
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1 cup pecans, chopped
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½ cup dried cranberries
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4 green onions, chopped
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Instructions
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Make dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt to taste.
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Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine chicken, pecans, cranberries, and green onions.
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Toss: Pour dressing over salad and mix gently. Adjust salt if needed.
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Serve: Chill for 30+ minutes for the best flavor, or enjoy immediately.
Notes
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This salad can be served on a bed of greens, in sandwiches, or as a side dish.
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For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.
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The salad is best served chilled, but it can be enjoyed immediately if you’re short on time.
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Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme) for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg