Description
Cranberry pecan chicken salad brings Mediterranean flavors to your table with delightful crunch and zesty poppy seed dressing. Fresh ingredients and simple preparation make this dish perfect for lunch or light dinner, promising satisfying bites you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Salad Components:
- 4 green onions, chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the zesty poppy seed dressing by vigorously whisking together all components until smooth and well-integrated, carefully seasoning with salt to enhance the flavor profile.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, delicately combine shredded chicken, toasted pecans, vibrant dried cranberries, and finely sliced green onions, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Gently drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture, carefully folding the ingredients to coat evenly without crushing the delicate components.
- For optimal taste development, refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Alternatively, serve immediately for a fresh, crisp experience.
- Before serving, perform a final taste check, adjusting seasoning if necessary to ensure a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Chill the salad for enhanced flavor melding, allowing the poppy seed dressing to penetrate the chicken and nuts.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to develop a deeper, richer nutty flavor that complements the sweet cranberries.
- Opt for shredded rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut that adds extra moisture and convenience.
- Swap regular mayo with Greek yogurt or light mayo to create a lighter, healthier version of the dressing without sacrificing creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg