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    Home » Recipe Index » Chicken Dishes » Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad

    Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad

    March 31, 2021 By Rebecca Chicken Dishes, Prep Ahead Meals, Salads, Sandwiches

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    chicken salad over greens with crasins on top

    This 15 minute chicken cranberry walnut salad is the perfect easy lunch. It's got tender chicken, sweet chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts dressed in a mayo/yogurt dressing that's wonderfully sweet and tangy. Make this chicken salad even quicker by using precooked chicken, it takes 5-7 minutes to assemble. Serve it over greens, in a sandwich, croissant, or a wrap for lots of options. This classic Chicken Salad Pita with Grapes is another delicious option.

    mixed greens with chicken salad on top in a white bowl with ingredients around it

    How will this chicken salad make your life easier?

    Sandwiches get boring really quickly, so mix your sandwich game up with this really easy chicken salad with walnuts and cranberries. It takes just 15 minutes to make (if you cook the chicken) or 5-7 if you're using precooked chicken. Make it ahead of time or throw it together for lunch. This chicken cranberry walnut salad will quickly become your favorite easy lunch/dinner recipe!

    Here are some other quick lunch recipes: Ham and Swiss Sliders, Vegetarian Burrito Bowl with Queso, Shrimp & Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner, and Pistachio Pasta.

    What's in this salad?

    chicken and chicken salad ingredients in glass dishes on a table

    How do I make it?

    one chicken tender cooking in a black frying pan

    The first step to make this chicken cranberry walnut salad is to heat small frying pan over medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray and then add 1 frozen chicken tender. Flip after about 4-5 minutes, and cook another 3-4. Depending on how frozen it is. You can also use precooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. Use what you have on hand!

    yogurt sauce in a medium glass bowl with spatula in it

    **This chicken cranberry walnut salad is pretty saucy with ¼ cup of yogurt + mayo, which is great for it being served over greens. If you plan on making this into a sandwich/wrap just add 1 tablespoon yogurt instead of ⅛ cup.**

    While the chicken is cooking, grab a medium mixing bowl to prepare your yogurt/mayo sauce in. Start by adding ⅛ c plain Greek yogurt, ⅛ c mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon dijon mustard, and ¼ teaspoon salt & ¼ teaspoon pepper to the mixing bowl. Mix dressing ingredients together using a small spatula or small whisk. Taste it and add additional mustard, salt/pepper if desired. Set aside.

    chopped cooked chicken on a white cutting board

    Once your chicken is done cooking (reaches 165 degrees F), chop it up into bite sized pieces and add to mixing bowl with dressing in it. *If you have a few extra minutes, let the chicken rest on the cutting board for 3-5+ minutes to retain juices & moist texture. Add 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, 1 teaspoon minced celery, 1 teaspoon minced red onion, and 1-2 teaspoon toasted chopped walnuts to chicken and dressing. Mix together with the small spatula or fork.

    cranberry, walnut chicken salad in a glass bowl with rubber spatula in it

    Spoon chicken cranberry walnut salad mixture over ~1 cup of mixed greens or on bread/wrap with lettuce. Whichever you like. Enjoy.

    Expert Tips

    • Cover the chicken with a lid as it cooks. That will help keep the moisture in.
    • Serve your chicken cranberry walnut salad over greens, in a sandwich, croissant, or a wrap for lots of options.
    • If serving on a sandwich/wrap, just add 1 tablespoon yogurt instead of ⅛ cup. It may be too saucy otherwise. But it's perfect when you serve it over greens.
    • Double or triple the recipe to make enough for a few lunches. Just hover over the number of servings on the recipe card below to adjust the number of servings.

    FAQ

    Why does my chicken salad get watery?

    Your chicken salad probably got watery after sitting in the fridge because of the celery or any other water filled ingredient in it. I would just mix it all together or add another small dollop of mayo or yogurt to thicken it up again. Either way.

    How do you make chicken salad from scratch?

    Scratch chicken salad is really easy, a traditional recipe includes mayo, dijon mustard, chicken and any combo of these additional ingredients: grapes, apples, dried cranberries, maybe some nuts, and definitely a dash of salt and pepper. You can add additional ingredients like lemon juice, and Greek yogurt to add some tanginess/tartness to your traditional recipe. There are lots of different ingredients you can add to your chicken salad. This chicken cranberry walnut salad adds cranberries and walnuts to add a different flavor to a traditional chicken salad.

    How long is homemade chicken salad good?

    Pre-made food is usually good for about 3-5 days, when stored in an air-tight container in the fridge, this chicken cranberry walnut salad should last 3-5 days in the fridge too. Definitely give it a sniff before eating. And remember the classic food safety advice: keep hot foods hot & cold foods cold.

    Can I eat cold chicken salad?

    Chicken salad is best served cold. The mayo and yogurt may curdle if heated up too quickly. Cold chicken salad is super refreshing and delicious. Just remember the classic food safety advice of keeping hot foods hot & cold foods cold.

    chicken salad over greens with crasins on top

    How can I repurpose this recipe?

    Serve your leftover chicken cranberry walnut salad over greens for a salad, or serve it in 2 slices of bread, in a sliced croissant, in a wrap, or wrapped in a pita. There are lots of ways to serve & mix up this easy lunch.

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Chicken: Check out these chicken dishes
    • Celery: Delicata Squash Soup, you can also add it to dishes like Beef & Broccoli, 15 Minute Pasta
    • Yogurt: Yogurt Bowl, or any of these smoothies.
    • Mayo: this is a great pantry staple.
    • Dried Cranberries: this is a great pantry staple. They're good eaten plain, on yogurt or oatmeal, or in granola or trail mix.

    Did you make this chicken cranberry walnut salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    chicken salad over greens with crasins on top
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad

    This 15 minute chicken cranberry walnut salad is the perfect easy lunch. It's got tender chicken, sweet chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts dressed in a mayo/yogurt dressing that's wonderfully sweet and tangy. Make this chicken salad even quicker by using precooked chicken, it takes 5-7 minutes to assemble. Serve it over greens, in a sliced croissant, in a sandwich or a wrap for lots of options.
    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • Small Frying Pan
    • tongs
    • cutting board
    • knife
    • medium mixing bowl
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • small rubber spatula

    Ingredients

    • cooking spray
    • 1 frozen chicken tender 2-3 oz
    • ⅛ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • ⅛ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
    • 1-2 teaspoons toasted, chopped walnuts
    • 1 teaspoon celery minced
    • 1 teaspoon red onion minced
    • 1 cup mixed greens
    • optional ways to serve it: sandwich bread, croissant, large tortilla, or pita

    Instructions

    • Heat small frying pan over medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray and then add 1 frozen chicken tender. Flip after about 4-5 minutes, and cook another 3-4.
    • Note: If serving on a sandwich/wrap, just add 1 tablespoon yogurt instead of ⅛ cup. It may be too saucy otherwise. But it's perfect when you serve it over greens.
    • While chicken is cooking, prepare sauce by adding ⅛ c plain Greek yogurt, ⅛ c mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon dijon mustard, and ¼ teaspoon salt & ¼ teaspoon pepper to a medium mixing bowl. Mix dressing ingredients together. Set aside.
    • When chicken is done cooking (reaches 165 degrees F), chop it up into bite sized pieces and add to mixing bowl with dressing in it. Add 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, 1 teaspoon minced celery, 1 teaspoon minced red onion, and 1-2 teaspoon toasted chopped walnuts chicken and dressing. Mix together.
    • Spoon chicken salad over 1 cup of mixed greens or on bread/wrap with lettuce.

    Video

    Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad

    Notes

    • Cover the chicken with a lid as it cooks. That will help keep the moisture in.
    • Serve it over greens, in a sandwich, croissant, or a wrap for lots of options.
    • Double or triple the recipe to make enough for a few lunches. Just hover over the number of servings on the recipe card below to adjust the number of servings.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this chicken cranberry walnut salad delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    « Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes for One
    Roasted Garlic Mushrooms with Pan Sauce »

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica Formicola says

      March 31, 2021 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for ways to step up my lunch game, and this looks like the perfect way to do it! I can't wait to try this delicious looking chicken salad!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 31, 2021 at 4:13 pm

        oh it's the dictionary definition of stepping up the lunch game 🙂

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      March 31, 2021 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious and yummy! My hubby and I are going to love this! So excited to give this a try!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 31, 2021 at 4:13 pm

        yay! let me know how it turns out

        Reply
    3. Tara says

      March 31, 2021 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      Such a delicious and easy lunch! Those flavors sound amazing. Would love to try it in a croissant.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 31, 2021 at 4:12 pm

        oh yes! it'd be soo good in a croissant

        Reply
    4. Michelle says

      March 31, 2021 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      I tried this salad and it was amazing! It's light yet fulfilling. Can't wait to make it again soon!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 31, 2021 at 4:12 pm

        awesome! glad it turned out

        Reply
    5. Ariana Matthews says

      April 10, 2021 at 6:24 am

      5 stars
      I am so glad I came across your recipe!! I’ve made this several times now and it is just as wonderful with dried cherries. I absolutely love it! I’m not much of a sandwich person, so I typically enjoy it with pita chips instead!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 10, 2021 at 5:51 pm

        so great to hear! I'll have to try it with cherries too

        Reply

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    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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