Cranberry and Pecan Chicken Salad
This vibrant Cranberry and Pecan Chicken Salad perfectly balances sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors! Featuring tender roasted chicken, a tangy Greek yogurt dressing, and tart cranberries, it is the ultimate quick and easy lunch solution.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup plain 0% Greek yogurt 2% also works great
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup celery diced
- ½ cup red onion diced (see note below)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice about ½ a large lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Roast the Chicken: Season the chicken breast generously with salt and black pepper, then place it in a shallow baking dish. Cook in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through (until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F).
- Shred the Meat: Remove the chicken from the oven and shred it while still warm. You can easily do this using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, a hand mixer, or simply pulling it apart with two forks.
- Assemble the Salad: To a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, diced celery, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans.
- Dress and Mix: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the top of the ingredients. Mix everything together well until the chicken and mix-ins are evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Serve chilled or immediately!
Notes
- Mellow the Onion: Soak diced red onions in cold water for 5-10 minutes before adding them to the salad to reduce their sharp, pungent bite.
- Easy Shredding: The fastest way to shred cooked chicken is by using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on high speed. Alternatively, you can simply pull it apart with two forks.
- Dressing Flexibility: You can use all mayonnaise, all Greek yogurt, or any combination of the two—just make sure the total amount equals ¾ cup.
- Nutrition Disclaimer: The provided nutritional information is only a rough estimate. Don't let numbers dictate your food choices; enjoy your meal and remember that food nourishes both the body and soul!
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