Chicken Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, and Honey Recipe
This easy and flavorful Chicken Salad recipe combines tender rotisserie chicken with crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and crisp celery, all tossed in a creamy dressing made from mayo, sour cream, honey, mustard, and poppy seeds. Perfect for a quick lunch, it pairs wonderfully with croissants, apples, celery, or crackers for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken (diced)
- 1/2 cup pecans (coarsely chopped, toasted)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 stalks celery (thinly sliced, about 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream (light works)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
- Croissants or other sandwich rolls
- Thinly sliced apples
- Additional celery sticks
- Crackers such as Wheat Thins
- Lettuce (optional, for sandwiches)
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Place pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool, then finely chop.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced rotisserie chicken, toasted and chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and thinly sliced celery. In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and lemon juice.
- Mix Dressing and Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently stir everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Serve the chicken salad chilled or at room temperature. It works wonderfully spooned onto croissants with lettuce if desired, or alongside thinly sliced apples, celery sticks, and your favorite crackers for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Toasting pecans enhances their flavor and crunch but is optional if short on time.
- Use light sour cream to reduce fat content without sacrificing creaminess.
- Adjust honey and lemon juice quantities according to your taste preferences for sweetness and tang.
- This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Great for quick lunches, picnics, or casual get-togethers.
