Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad

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This Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad is the best way to use up leftover chicken. A great recipe with simple ingredients. A closeup of Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad on a bun

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

If you’re looking for a delicious salad that is high protein, packed with fruit, and takes only a little bit of time to make, you have to try my Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad! 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always have time to cook up a full meal. I have a family of four and I need to feed them on the fly fairly often.  Here is where leftover chicken comes in because it’s easier to meal prep.

I love to make two meals out of one by cooking extra chicken breasts, a whole chicken, or using up leftover rotisserie chicken so that I have that component ready to go the next day. It makes lunch recipes and packing way easier and I can often stretch it into dinner.

It’s a great way to save on time and make sure that you’re making more healthy recipes than fried or boxed ones.  This is one of my favorite chicken salad recipes because it is unbelievably easy and has sweet cranberries with an almond crunch.

I love the texture and it has the best flavor, so I hope you’ll enjoy this sweet and savory chicken salad as well.  You can serve this delicious recipe on a bed of lettuce, in a lettuce wrap, on top of a green salad, or as creamy chicken salad sandwiches.

I like to use King’s Hawaiian buns because of their sweetness, but you can use white or wheat bread – whatever type of bread you enjoy.  This twist on a classic chicken salad is an easy grab and go lunch and one of the healthy options that you can feel comfortable serving to your family members.

The entire recipe will take you 15 minutes to put together with very simple steps and you can pick up all of the ingredients at your local grocery store.  Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad on a bun next to potato wedges and macaroni salad

Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

How To Make:

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup chicken, shredded 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1/8 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup mayonnaise kosher salt and black pepper to taste A rotisserie chicken in a black pan

Directions:

Shred your leftover cooked chicken and place it in a large bowl. If you’re using chicken breasts, you can cut them up into small pieces if you have trouble shredding.  Clear bowls of shredded chicken, dried cranberries, mayonnaise, slivered almonds, and a package of King's Hawaiian bunsAdd your cranberries and almonds to the bowl. Top with your mayonnaise and stir until everything is thoroughly mixed. Shredded chicken and dried cranberries in a clear bowl with a wooden spoonAdd a little salt and pepper (to taste) and serve. Enjoy! This delicious chicken salad should be refrigerated, but can be left at room temperature if being served at an event (like a baby shower) or summer picnics.  Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container or a small bowl covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  An Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad sandwich

Is There Anything Else I Can Add To This Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe?

Yes! There are lots of delicious ways to put together homemade chicken salad, so there are a few things you could add. Many people enjoy red onion, green onions, or red bell pepper, but I’m not sure these are a great option because of the sweet flavor of the cranberries. You could add some small apple slices or cubes, juicy grapes, or some crunchy celery cubes easily. Or you could turn this into a cranberry walnut chicken salad by swapping walnuts for almonds. 

Can I Omit The Mayo In This Chicken Cranberry Salad?

Yes! Depending on your tastes, you can use Miracle Whip instead, or if you’re going for low carb, healthy chicken salad, you could go with a fat-free sour cream or Greek yogurt. You’ll want to taste the result to make sure that it has the great flavor you’re looking for. If it doesn’t quite get there with the latter two options, add a little garlic powder or some additional salt and pepper.  A Cranberry Chicken Salad sandwich on a green plate next to potato wedges

Are You Looking For More Tasty Chicken Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

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Yield: 4 servings

Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad

A Cranberry Chicken Salad sandwich on a green plate next to potato wedges

This Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad is the best way to use up leftover chicken. A great recipe with simple ingredients.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/8 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Shred your leftover chicken and place it in a medium sized bowl.
  2. Add your cranberries and almonds.
  3. Top with mayonnaise and stir until everything is thoroughly mixed.
  4. Add salt (to taste) and serve on buns.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 356Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 357mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 13g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

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