Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

This Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe features tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, and crisp celery, all combined in a creamy dressing.

This easy salad recipe requires little effort to make and ideal for preparing lunches ahead of time or enjoying as a snack with crackers.

this recipe!

This easy cranberry chicken salad recipe is simple yet delicious. It’s so handy to have in the fridge, whether you’re meal-prepping or looking for a a quick appetizer.

This deli-style chicken salad is a recipe you’ll want to add to your regular menu! Serve it on bread, buns or buttery croissants for a tasty sandwich for lunch.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Chicken Salad

• It’s effortless to make – seriously, it does not get any eaiser than this and it’s satisfying without having the hassle of spending a lot of time.
• Great flavor – a tasty mix of savory chicken with sweet cranberries.
• Perfect for making ahead the night before for lunch the next day.
• Perfect for any occasion – planning a baby shower, bridal shower or Boxing Day brunch? Chicken salad sandwiches are a great choice!

Let’s not wait! Let’s dive into making this classic chicken salad with a twist!

Ingredients for Chicken Cranberry Salad

Simple ingrdients that you can find in the grocery store and I’m guessing you’ll already have some in the fridge and pantry.

Chicken – cooked, poached chicken, leftover cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken will all work perfectly for this recipe. Chopped or shredded will do the trick!

Dried Cranberries – we like to use the sweet cranberries, but you can certainly use unsweetened dried cranberries as well if you’re trying to reduce the amount of sugar.

Mayonnaise – use your favorite brand. Making a healthy lunch? Substitute the mayo for plain Greek yogurt.

Lemon juice – use fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Celery – crunchy celery adds flavor and is classic in chicken salad. Don’t skip this ingredient!

Green Onions – or you could substitute chopped red onion or white sweet onions, like Vidalia.

Dried dill – adds flavor

Salt & Pepper – we’ve added a small amount of salt and pepper. Taste and season to suit your taste after mixing.

How to Make Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Celery

You can find a full printable recipe card by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

Prep: Start by chopping or shredding the cooked chicken and place in a small bowl, then chop the green onions and celery.

This is so easy to make! Simply place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until well combined.

Variations for Chicken Cranberry Salad

• Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad – add in 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
• Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad – add in 1/4 cup of chopped crunchy pecans
• Lettuce chicken salad wrap – place chicken salad in the middle of a lettuce leaf and roll up like a burrito
• Change up the flavors – stire in 1 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard or honey mustard.
• Add in some fruit – chopped apples, grapes are a great way to add more flavor to the chicken salad.

What Kind of Chicken Should I use?

You can use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, even canned chicken.

How Do You Eat Chicken Salad?

Pile the chicken salad onto a buttery croissant, bread of roll it up in a lettuce wrap.

Chicken salad is also delicious wrapped up in a flour tortilla or a healthy lettuce wrap and lettuce cups.

How Long Does Chicken Salad Last in the Fridge?

Store any leftover chicken salad in the refrigerator as soon as possible and not more than one hour after it sitting out at room temperature.

Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. (This is for freshly cooked chicken. Times for using leftover chicken to make the chicken salad will be different).

For all food safety guidelines, review the safe food handling guidelines at the USDA website.

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