Name: Best Cranberry Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cups cooked chicken; 1 cup dried cranberries; Celery · toasted pecans · red onion; Mayo + Greek yogurt · lemon · honey · poppy seeds

Introduction

Best Cranberry Chicken Salad is pure, creamy, sweet-tart perfection: tender chicken, juicy dried cranberries, crunchy celery and toasted pecans, all folded in a bright lemon-poppy-seed dressing that tastes like the ultimate holiday lunch or ladies-who-lunch classic. This make-ahead wonder is light yet satisfying, pretty in pink, and disappears from the bowl faster than you can say “seconds.” Served on croissants, in lettuce cups, or straight from the fridge with a spoon, this Best Cranberry Chicken Salad recipe offers a stunning, appetizing aesthetic that instantly becomes the star of brunches, showers, or post-Thanksgiving leftover rescues.

Why you’ll love this recipe

15 minutes active — zero cooking if using rotisserie.
Sweet-tart-crunchy balance — cranberries + pecans + celery = magic.
Make-ahead superstar — best after 4–24 hrs chill.
Versatile — sandwiches, wraps, or salad platter.
Endlessly riffable — grapes, apples, or spicy versions.

Ingredients (6–8 servings)

Chicken Base

4 cups (≈550 g) cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie = gold)
1 cup (120 g) dried cranberries (Craisins or similar)
1 cup (100 g) celery, finely diced
¾ cup (85 g) pecans or walnuts, toasted & chopped
½ cup (60 g) red onion or shallot, finely diced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Creamy Lemon Dressing

¾ cup (180 g) mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
¼ cup (60 g) Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice + zest of ½ lemon
1 tbsp honey or sugar
1 tsp poppy seeds (optional but classic)
¾ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
Optional: ¼ tsp dried dill or tarragon

Essential Tools and Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Sharp knife for even dice

Step-by-step process

Toast nuts — 350 °F 6–8 min until fragrant → cool.
Make dressing — whisk mayo, yogurt, lemon juice + zest, honey, poppy seeds, salt, pepper until smooth. Taste → adjust sweet/tart.
Combine — in a large bowl, gently toss chicken, cranberries, celery, onion, parsley, and cooled nuts.
Dress — add dressing gradually (you may not need all) → fold until evenly coated.
Chill 1–24 hrs so flavors marry (overnight = best).
Serve on croissants, lettuce cups, or crackers with extra cranberries on top.

Mistakes to avoid

Dry chicken — rotisserie or poached thigh meat = juiciest.
Too much dressing — start light; can always add more.
Untoasted nuts — flavor flat; toasting is non-negotiable.
Big chunks — everything small = perfect bite.
Serving same day — needs chill time for magic.

Variations of the Best Cranberry Chicken Salad

Waldorf Twist — add diced apple + grapes.
Curry — curry powder + golden raisins + mango chutney.
Spicy — diced jalapeño + cayenne in dressing.
Low-Cal — all Greek yogurt + extra lemon.
Holiday — fresh cranberries + orange zest.

Tips for better storage & make-ahead

Make-ahead — up to 4 days in fridge; flavor peaks day 2.
Freezer — chicken + dressing separate up to 2 months → thaw → combine fresh.
Refresh leftovers — splash of lemon + fresh herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rotisserie chicken? 1 medium bird = perfect amount.
No mayo? All Greek yogurt + extra honey.
Nut-free? Sunflower seeds or pepitas.
Double batch? Perfect — scales beautifully.
Less sweet? Cut honey + use tart cranberries.

Conclusion

Best Cranberry Chicken Salad is pure lunchtime elegance — each creamy, crunchy, sweet-tart bite tastes like the ultimate ladies’ lunch or post-holiday glow-up. One bowl turns leftover chicken into the most requested, most devoured salad you’ll ever bring to a party. Keep rotisserie chicken and Craisins stocked, and the prettiest, most delicious chicken salad is literally 15 minutes away. Whether it’s baby showers, book club, or “because it’s Wednesday,” this salad delivers pure joy and empty bowls in perfect harmony. One bite, endless “I need this recipe,” and the quiet thrill of cranberry chicken salad mastery.