Description

This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a vibrant and nutritious dish perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner. Combining tender shredded chicken with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a tangy, homemade poppy seed dressing, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Serve it over a bed of fresh mixed greens or spinach for a refreshing meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
5 cups mixed greens or spinach
1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced celery, and finely chopped red onion to create the base of your salad.
Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt or mayonnaise with honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the poppy seed dressing over the chicken mixture and toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Serve the Salad: Arrange a bed of mixed greens or spinach on each plate, then spoon a generous amount of the cranberry pecan chicken salad on top. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese for added creaminess.
Chill if Desired: Serve immediately for fresh flavors, or chill the salad for 30 minutes beforehand to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute all mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce fat and calories.
This salad makes an excellent filling for sandwiches or wraps, providing a portable and tasty meal option.
Ensure the chicken is fully cooked and cooled before preparing the salad for best results.
Adjust sweetness in the dressing by varying the amount of honey according to taste.