🥗 Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
🌿 Description
This salad combines tender chicken, crunchy pecans, and sweet-tart dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy, lightly sweet poppy seed dressing. It’s a beautiful balance of textures and flavors—crisp, juicy, creamy, and nutty with a Mediterranean-inspired freshness.
🛒 Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans (chopped, lightly toasted)
- 2 cups mixed greens or lettuce
- ½ cup celery (chopped)
- ¼ cup red onion (finely sliced)
For the poppy seed dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise for richer taste)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the dressing
- In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
2. Assemble the salad
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, and onion.
- Add greens if serving immediately.
3. Toss
- Pour dressing over the salad and mix gently until everything is well coated.
4. Chill & serve
- Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes for best flavor.
- Serve chilled on its own, in sandwiches, or lettuce wraps.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Extra crunch: Add sliced apples or grapes.
- Low-carb option: Skip cranberries or use fewer.
- Dairy-free: Use mayo or plant-based yogurt.
- More protein: Add boiled eggs or chickpeas.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! It’s quick, flavorful, and works perfectly.
Q: How long does it last?
Up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely—just keep greens separate until serving.
Q: Is it healthy?
Yes! It’s high in protein and can be made lighter with yogurt instead of mayo.
