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Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Ella
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Salt

Description

This creamy cranberry chicken salad with walnuts combines tender cooked chicken, tangy dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh dill for a flavorful and easy-to-make dish. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or as a refreshing salad topping, this recipe is a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and crisp elements, ready in just 20 minutes and ideal for potlucks or light meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 6 cups chopped cooked chicken
  • 1 cup chopped scallions (green and white ends)
  • ¾ cup sliced celery
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, chopped scallions, sliced celery, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts or pecans, fresh chopped dill, and orange zest. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the dill and orange zest throughout the mixture.
  2. Add Mayonnaise: Add the mayonnaise to the bowl and mix well to coat all the ingredients evenly, creating a creamy texture.
  3. Season and Chill: Taste the chicken salad and season with salt and pepper as needed. Cover the bowl and chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.

Notes

  • Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • Walnuts can be substituted with pecans for a slightly different nutty flavor.
  • Fresh dill adds a bright, herbal note; if unavailable, fresh parsley or tarragon can be used as alternatives.
  • Adjust mayonnaise quantity to achieve desired creaminess or substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
  • This salad works great as a sandwich filling, a topping for green salads, or wrapped in tortillas for a quick lunch option.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 oz
  • Calories: 339 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 195 mg
  • Fat: 29 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 52 mg

Find it online: https://hearthybites.com/cranberry-chicken-salad-with-walnuts-recipe/