If you’re on the lookout for a fresh, vibrant salad that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, you’re going to adore this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe. It’s a delightful mix of tender chicken, crunchy pecans, and tart dried cranberries, all brought together by a luscious, homemade poppy seed dressing that sings on your palate. Whether you’re packing a lunch, preparing a light dinner, or feeding guests, this salad is as versatile as it is delicious, and it comes together in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, well-chosen ingredients that each play a starring role in the final taste and texture. The creamy mayonnaise and sour cream create a rich, smooth base for the dressing, while honey and Dijon mustard introduce just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Fresh poppy seeds add a subtle crunch and a hint of nuttiness. Combined with juicy chicken, crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and fresh green onions, each ingredient lifts the salad to a new level of deliciousness.
- Mayonnaise (1/2 cup): Provides the creamy foundation that makes the dressing silky and smooth.
- Sour cream (1/4 cup): Adds tanginess that balances the sweetness and enriches the dressing’s texture.
- Honey (2 tablespoons, softened): Delivers a gentle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the tart cranberries.
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon): Brings a pleasant sharpness that deepens the flavor complexity.
- Poppy seeds (1 tablespoon): Offer delightful little bursts of crunch and a mild nutty flavor.
- Salt (to taste): Essential to enhance and balance all the other flavors.
- Chicken breast (4 cups, cooked and chopped): The hearty protein base that makes the salad satisfyingly filling.
- Pecans (1 cup, chopped): Add a buttery crunch that contrasts the softer components perfectly.
- Dried cranberries (1/2 cup): Bring a tangy sweetness that brightens every bite.
- Green onions (4, chopped): Provide a fresh, mild bite with just the right pop of color.
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Dressing
Start by grabbing a medium bowl to combine your mayonnaise, sour cream, softened honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Whisk these ingredients until the dressing is smooth, luscious, and well-blended. Add salt little by little to balance out the flavors. This homemade poppy seed dressing will be the star that ties your salad together, so take a moment to taste and get it just right.
Step 2: Combine the Salad Ingredients
In a large bowl, toss together your cooked, chopped chicken, crunchy chopped pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and zesty green onions. This combination delivers a fantastic mix of textures and flavors that promise every forkful will be exciting. You want to distribute everything evenly for maximum deliciousness in every bite.
Step 3: Toss with the Dressing
Pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over your salad mixture then toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the ingredients. The creamy, lightly sweet dressing will cling perfectly to the chicken and crunchy bits, ensuring every spoonful bursts with flavor. Taste one last time and add salt if you feel it needs just a pinch more.
How to Serve Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a few extra poppy seeds on top adds a lovely little visual and textural accent for presentation. You might also scatter a few whole pecan halves or some extra dried cranberries to make your salad look even more inviting. A few fresh green onion slices on top give it that final, fresh touch.
Side Dishes
This chicken salad pairs wonderfully with crusty artisan bread or buttery croissants for a satisfying meal. It’s also fantastic served alongside crisp, refreshing salads such as cucumber and tomato or a simple green salad dressed lightly in lemon vinaigrette. If you want something more substantial, serve it atop a bed of baby spinach or mixed greens.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant twist, stuff this salad into avocado halves, bell pepper cups, or hollowed-out tomatoes. You can also serve it as a sandwich filling or roll it up in a soft tortilla to create a colorful, flavor-packed wrap. Offering it in small mason jars or individual bowls makes it perfect for picnics or casual gatherings, adding a charming rustic vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare because this salad is so good!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the pecans might soften slightly over time, but the flavors will deepen and meld even more.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing can alter the texture of the creamy dressing and the salad ingredients. If you want to prep in advance, freeze just the cooked chicken separately and combine everything fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
Since this salad is served cold or at room temperature, there’s no need to reheat it. Simply give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing evenly if some has settled at the bottom of the container.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful option that works perfectly in the Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe. Just chop it into bite-size pieces and you’re good to go.
Are there any good substitutes for pecans?
If pecans aren’t your favorite or if you have a nut allergy, walnuts or sliced almonds can be excellent substitutes that still provide a satisfying crunch and lovely nutty flavor.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the poppy seed dressing a day in advance and keep it in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors meld and makes assembly of the salad even quicker.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep lunches?
Definitely! The Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe stores well in the fridge and can be portioned into containers for easy, grab-and-go meals throughout the week.
How can I make this salad low-fat?
To lighten up the salad, swap mayonnaise and sour cream for low-fat or Greek yogurt versions, and reduce the honey slightly to keep the dressing balanced and creamy.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe has quickly become one of my absolute favorites, and I’m sure it will be yours too. It’s a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that feels special yet comes together effortlessly. I truly encourage you to give this recipe a try – share it with family, friends, or even keep it all to yourself for those times when only something deliciously comforting will do.
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Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (to cook chicken breast if not pre-cooked)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad tossed with a tangy poppy seed dressing. This quick and easy recipe combines tender cooked chicken breast with crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and fresh green onions, all coated in a creamy, slightly sweet dressing perfect for a light lunch or picnic.
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons honey (softened)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt, to taste
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped (about 2 chicken breasts)
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 4 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Season with salt to taste, adjusting as needed to balance the flavors.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked and chopped chicken breast, chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and chopped green onions. Toss them together gently to evenly distribute all the components.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together carefully until each ingredient is well coated with the creamy dressing. Add salt if needed and adjust seasoning to preference.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly cooked chicken breast chilled before chopping.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter dressing version.
- Toast pecans lightly to enhance their flavor before adding them to the salad.
- This salad can be served immediately or refrigerated for an hour to meld flavors.
- Excellent served on a bed of greens, in sandwiches, or wraps.
