If you’re looking for a fresh twist on a classic, you’ve got to try this Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe. I absolutely love how the sweet-tart cranberries and crunchy celery blend with tender chicken and toasted pine nuts to create a salad that’s bursting with texture and flavor. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find it hard to go back to plain chicken salad again. Stick around, because I’m going to share everything you need to make it perfectly every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweetness of cranberries pairs beautifully with the savory chicken and the mild tang of mustard.
Crunch and Creaminess: Toasted pine nuts and celery add texture that keeps every bite interesting.
Easy to Customize: You can swap nuts, adjust seasonings, or serve it different ways depending on what you have on hand.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after chilling for a bit, making it ideal for lunch prep or gatherings.

The image shows two croissants on a blue plate placed on a white marbled surface. One croissant is whole with a golden-brown, flaky texture. The other croissant is open and filled with a creamy salad made of small white chicken pieces, chopped celery, dried dark cranberries, sunflower seeds, and light beige dressing, layered inside the croissant’s light and flaky interior. In the background, there is a metal bowl filled with more of the salad, and some green onions and an additional croissant are blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Chicken Salad, cranberry chicken salad recipe, healthy chicken salad with cranberries, easy chicken salad with cranberries, fruit chicken salad recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how simple yet flavorful this cranberry chicken salad recipe is, and the ingredients all come together so well. When you shop, look for fresh celery and good-quality dried cranberries to make a difference. Toasting the pine nuts is optional but it really lifts the flavor.

Flat lay of cooked chicken breast chopped into bite-sized pieces, a sliced celery stalk with bright green ribs, thinly sliced green onions showing white and green sections, a small white bowl filled with glossy sweet dried cranberries, a small white bowl containing toasted golden pine nuts, a small white bowl of creamy pale mayonnaise, a small white bowl holding smooth Dijon mustard, a small white bowl with coarse salt crystals, and a small white bowl with freshly ground black pepper placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Cranberry Chicken Salad, cranberry chicken salad recipe, healthy chicken salad with cranberries, easy chicken salad with cranberries, fruit chicken salad recipe

Cooked chicken breast: I prefer lightly seasoned, roasted chicken for extra depth, but leftover rotisserie chicken works great too.
Celery stalk: Adds that essential crunch and freshness; slice it thin for the best texture.
Green onions: They bring a gentle sharpness without overpowering other flavors.
Sweetened dried cranberries: They give that signature chewy sweetness that contrasts deliciously with the chicken.
Pine nuts: Toast before adding for a nutty aroma and crisp bite, but if you don’t have pine nuts, pecans or almonds make wonderful substitutes.
Mayonnaise: Use your favorite kind—light mayo works fine if you want it a bit lighter.
Dry mustard powder or Dijon mustard: This little kick of tang helps brighten the salad and tie everything together.
Coarse salt and black pepper: Key to season and bring all the flavors alive, so don’t rush on this step.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this cranberry chicken salad recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak it depending on what I have in the fridge or who I’m serving it to. You should definitely make it your own!

Nuts swap: I once used chopped toasted pecans instead of pine nuts, and my family went crazy for the richer crunch.
Mustard variation: Try using spicy brown mustard if you want more zing, or skip it entirely if you want a milder flavor.
Fruit add-ins: Some fresh apple chunks mixed in add a lovely crispness and more natural sweetness.
Herbs: A sprinkle of chopped parsley or tarragon can freshen it up nicely for spring and summer.

How to Make Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients with Care

Start by chopping your cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces so every forkful is flavorful and easy to eat. Slice the celery thinly—this is key to keeping the salad crunchy without any overpowering chunks. Chop the green onions finely; their mild oniony flavor perks up the whole dish. Last, if you have pine nuts, toast them gently in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden and fragrant—this step seriously elevates the salad.

Step 2: Combine Everything in a Bowl

Once your ingredients are prepped, toss the chicken, celery, green onions, dried cranberries, and toasted pine nuts into a mixing bowl. Add in the mayonnaise, mustard (powder or Dijon), salt, and pepper. Stir gently but thoroughly—making sure everything is evenly coated without turning it into mush. I like to taste here and adjust salt & pepper as needed before chilling it, since chilling dulls flavors slightly.

Step 3: Chill and Let Flavors Meld

Pop your salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chill time does wonders, allowing the mustard and mayo to marry with the chicken and cranberries, so you get a beautiful balance of creaminess and sweetness with every bite. If you’re serving at a party, I recommend making this a few hours ahead—it actually tastes better the next day!

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Toast Those Nuts: Never skip toasting the pine nuts if you can help it – it adds a rich nuttiness that makes a big difference.
Chill for Flavor: I learned that chilling at least 30 minutes is essential—it really lets the flavors speak to each other.
Don’t Over-Mayo: Adding too much mayo can weigh down the salad, so start small and add more if you want creamier texture.
Adjust Seasoning Last: Salt and pepper should be added gradually; too much too soon can’t be undone easily.

How to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

The image shows a croissant sandwich on a white plate set on a white marble surface. The croissant is golden brown and flaky, split open and filled with a creamy chicken salad. The chicken salad filling has visible chunks of white chicken meat, chopped green celery, dried dark red cranberries, and small pine nuts, all mixed in a light creamy dressing. The sandwich is centered in the image with a blurred background showing a metal bowl with more chicken salad. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Chicken Salad, cranberry chicken salad recipe, healthy chicken salad with cranberries, easy chicken salad with cranberries, fruit chicken salad recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a few extra toasted pine nuts on top for that appealing crunch and nutty scent when serving. A fresh sprig of parsley or a small handful of fresh arugula on the side brightens the plate and adds a fresh peppery note that cuts through the creaminess wonderfully.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this salad include simple mixed greens tossed in vinaigrette or a handful of kettle chips for crunch. On cooler days, I love pairing it with a bowl of butternut squash soup or a light vegetable broth to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a chic party, I like serving the cranberry chicken salad on crisp apple slices or inside miniature croissants as bite-sized sliders. It’s also great scooped into avocado halves for a pretty, low-carb presentation that always gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad holds up really well but the celery can soften a bit, so I sometimes add a little fresh sliced celery when serving leftover portions to bring back crunch.

Freezing

Truth be told, I don’t recommend freezing cranberry chicken salad because mayonnaise and celery don’t hold texture well after freezing. The salad can separate and become mushy, which is a bummer after all that prep.

Reheating

This recipe is best served cold, so no reheating needed. I usually enjoy leftovers straight from the fridge or at room temperature, which also helps the flavors shine through.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of pine nuts in the cranberry chicken salad recipe?

Absolutely! While pine nuts add a delicate flavor and buttery texture, pecans, almonds, or walnuts also work great here. Just toast the nuts gently to maximize their flavor before adding them to your salad.
Is it okay to use rotisserie chicken instead of homemade cooked chicken?

Definitely! Rotisserie chicken is actually a fantastic shortcut that adds flavor, making this salad even easier to whip up on busy days. Just chop it finely and proceed as usual.
How long can I keep cranberry chicken salad in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, your cranberry chicken salad will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. Beyond that, the celery tends to get soggy and the flavors may start to mute.
Can I make this salad dairy-free or vegan?

For a dairy-free version, the original recipe works perfectly as mayonnaise typically doesn’t contain dairy. For vegan, swap chicken for chickpeas or tofu, and use vegan mayo—this creates a tasty plant-based alternative.
What’s the best way to serve cranberry chicken salad?

You can serve it as a sandwich filling on croissants or your favorite bread, spoon it over a bed of greens, or even pair it with crisp apple slices for a lighter, low-carb option that’s just as delicious.

Final Thoughts

This cranberry chicken salad recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially for those days when I want something satisfying but easy to throw together. I love sharing it with friends because it feels special yet not fussy. I hope it brings you as much joy as it has to me and my family. So grab those ingredients, give this recipe a try, and let me know how it becomes your new go-to!