🥗 Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Mediterranean-inspired • No mayo • Fresh + Healthy

✅ Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded

• 1 cup mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine)

• ½ cup celery, thinly sliced

• ½ cup cucumber, diced

• ⅓ cup dried cranberries (or fresh if preferred)

• ⅓ cup pecans, toasted and chopped

• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced

• ¼ cup feta cheese (optional but very Mediterranean)

• 1 small apple, diced (optional but delicious)

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For the Mediterranean Poppy Seed Dressing

• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 tbsp honey (or date syrup)

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp poppy seeds

• ¼ tsp salt

• ⅛ tsp black pepper

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together:

   • olive oil

   • vinegar/lemon juice

   • honey

   • Dijon mustard

   • poppy seeds

   • salt & pepper

2. Whisk until creamy and well combined.

3. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity.

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2. Assemble the Salad

1. In a large bowl add:

   • chicken

   • greens

   • celery

   • cucumber

   • cranberries

   • pecans

   • red onion

   • (feta + apple if using)

2. Drizzle with the dressing.

3. Toss gently until everything is coated.

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🍽 3. Serve

Enjoy immediately or chill for 20 minutes for best flavor.
Also delicious in lettuce cups, pita pockets, or over quinoa.

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❤️ Mediterranean Tips

• Replace cranberries with pomegranate seeds for extra freshness.

• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds.

• Use grilled chicken for smoky flavor.

• To make it creamier, add 2 tbsp Greek yogurt into the dressing.