This is an easy and classic chicken recipe we all need to have, but with cranberries that add a slightly sweet bite. It's a great way to use leftover rotisserie, baked or grilled chicken. What's special about this one? The dressing is the best, tangy and savory with a hint of sweetness.
Quick chicken recipe
I don't know you, but I'd rather cook more than needed and have leftovers than risk not having enough food, especially when having guests over or celebrating a special occasion.
This chicken salad is one of the answers. It's simple, quick, classic and versatile.
Just like ham salad, it doubles as a sandwich filling (I love white sandwich bread or whole wheat bread), a side dish, or a light lunch, served over lettuce leaves used as bowls.
If you still have leftover chicken after making this salad, check out this popular Mexican casserole or the chicken taquitos recipe.
Testing notes
I like texture, but you can mince the ingredients or even process them to achieve a paste-like consistency. It depends on your preference and the purpose for which you're using it.
Don't add all of the dressing at once. Add about ⅔, stir and see if it's creamy enough for you. Add more if necessary. Too much dressing can overpower the salad's ingredients and make it too pasty or too rich.
Taste and adjust. Always make iterations if needed, so it's exactly what you want, especially with the dressing. That said, start with small amounts! You can always add more, but it's hard to remove.
Chill it before eating. Although you can eat it immediately after preparing it, I think an hour (or more) allows the salad flavors to meld.
The dressing
It doesn't get much easier than mixing everything together in a bowl.
Always taste and adjust. It's important to tailor it to your preference.
Variations
- Skip the mayo: use all yogurt and maybe a tablespoon of sour cream for creaminess. Make sure to adjust the seasonings.
- Add fresh herbs: I like parsley, chives and thyme.
- Add a few tablespoons of chopped yellow or green onions. They have different flavor profiles, but they add some acidity and sharpness.
- Add spiciness with a little smoked paprika, cayenne pepper or a dash of Tabasco (or other hot sauce) for a spicy kick.
- Use raisins instead of cranberries, and change the name. The salad will be sweeter.
- Add another protein, like chopped turkey or ham, instead of chicken.
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Cranberry Chicken Salad (old-fashioned recipe)
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons natural or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, or to taste
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- large pinch of black pepper, or to taste
- large pinch of curry powder, optional, but very good
For the salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup finely chopped celery stalk
Instructions
Make the dressing:
- In a medium bowl, mix 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons natural or Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, a large pinch of black pepper, and a large pinch of curry powder until smooth. You can prepare several hours ahead and store in the fridge in an airtight jar. Stir before using.
Assemble the salad:
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups cooked chicken, 3 tablespoons pine nuts, chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds, ⅓ cup dried cranberries and ¼ cup finely chopped celery stalk.
- Pour half of the dressing over the salad and gently toss together until evenly coated. Add more dressing as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes (or more) before serving if desired.
Notes
Skip the mayo and use only yogurt, and maybe a tablespoon of sour cream for creaminess. Make sure to adjust the seasonings.
Add a few tablespoons of chopped yellow or green onions. They have different flavor profiles, but they add some acidity and sharpness.
Add fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, and thyme.
Add spiciness with a little smoked paprika, cayenne pepper or a dash of Tabasco (or other hot sauce) for a spicy kick.
Use raisins instead of cranberries, and change the name. The salad will be sweeter.
Use another protein, like chopped turkey or ham, instead of chicken.
Add fruit, like seedless grapes or a chopped apple.
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