If you’re on the hunt for a fresh, flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare but feels special enough for any gathering, you’ll absolutely love this Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe. I’ve been making it for years, and it’s one of those recipes that never fails to impress — with its perfect blend of sweet cranberries, crunchy celery, and toasted pine nuts, all wrapped up in a creamy dressing. Stick with me here, and you’ll see why this salad might just become your new go-to for lunches, picnics, or even potlucks!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Balanced Flavors: The tart sweetness of cranberries mingles beautifully with savory chicken and toasted pine nuts for a crowd-pleasing combo.
Quick & Easy Prep: This salad comes together in under 15 minutes with mostly chopping and mixing — great for busy days or last-minute guests.
Versatile Serving: Enjoy it on bread, croissants, or even apple slices for a low-carb option that’s just as delicious.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after chilling, so you can prep it in advance and let those flavors soak in.

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, Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries, Quick Cranberry Chicken Salad, Festive Chicken Salad

Ingredients You’ll Need

The charm of this Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe comes from simple, fresh ingredients that bring texture and flavor together perfectly. When shopping, I like to pick plump dried cranberries and fresh celery to keep things crisp and bright.

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, Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries, Quick Cranberry Chicken Salad, Festive Chicken Salad

Cooked chicken breast: Using leftover roasted or poached chicken works great — just chop into bite-sized pieces.
Celery stalk: Adds crunchy freshness that contrasts nicely with the creamy dressing.
Green onions: I love the mild onion flavor they add without overpowering the other ingredients.
Sweetened dried cranberries: Their tart-sweetness is a game-changer; avoid the ones with extra coatings if possible.
Pine nuts: Toast them lightly to bring out their buttery taste — but if you’re short on time, pecans or almonds work beautifully too.
Mayonnaise: Use your favorite brand or homemade for that rich, smooth texture.
Dry mustard powder or Dijon mustard: This adds a subtle tang that lifts the whole salad — don’t skip it!
Coarse salt and black pepper: To enhance all the flavors perfectly.

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

I like to keep this Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe flexible — it’s easy to tweak based on what you have in the pantry or your taste preferences. Feel free to play around and make it your own!

Nut swaps: If pine nuts aren’t your thing, using toasted pecans or almonds adds great texture and flavor — I tend to use whatever’s in my pantry that week.
Mustard options: Sometimes I swap dry mustard powder for spicy Dijon mustard for a little punch; it’s a personal favorite when I want extra zing.
Low-carb twists: Instead of serving with bread, try scooping the salad onto apple slices or lettuce wraps for a lighter, refreshing bite.
Herbs addition: For a fresh herbal lift, I’ve occasionally stirred in chopped tarragon or dill — it’s a lovely way to brighten the salad.

How to Make Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients with Care

Start by chopping your cooked chicken into bite-friendly pieces — I recommend using tender, skinless breast meat for that clean flavor. Slice the celery thinly so you get that satisfying crunch without any overpowering chunks. Chop the green onions finely, because their mild, slightly sweet edge complements the salad perfectly. If you’re toasting pine nuts, do it gently in a dry pan over medium heat — swirl frequently and watch closely; they can burn fast but bring such amazing flavor toasted.

Step 2: Combine and Mix Everything

Grab a large bowl and toss together the chopped chicken, celery, green onions, cranberries, and toasted pine nuts. Mix your mayonnaise with dry mustard powder (or Dijon), salt, and pepper separately — this helps the flavors blend evenly. Then gently fold the dressing into the chicken mixture, stirring carefully so you don’t mush up the components. That way, every bite keeps a nice balance of textures and tastes.

Step 3: Chill and Let Flavors Meld

Here’s where the magic happens: refrigerate your salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the mustard and mayo to mellow and the cranberries to release their sweet-tart notes into the chicken. When you take it out, give it a quick taste — sometimes I adjust with a pinch more salt or pepper at this stage to brighten everything up.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Toast Nuts Lightly: I learned the hard way that burnt pine nuts ruin the salad — take your time to toast them evenly over low heat for that perfect nutty crunch.
Use Fresh Chicken: Whenever possible, use freshly cooked chicken breast or high-quality rotisserie chicken for the best texture; frozen cooked chicken can be too dry.
Chill Well: Don’t rush the chilling step — the flavors meld beautifully after some time in the fridge, making the salad taste much more cohesive.
Adjust Seasonings Later: I usually add salt and pepper after chilling; it helps to better judge how much the salad really needs without over-salting initially.

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, Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries, Quick Cranberry Chicken Salad, Festive Chicken Salad

Garnishes

I love to finish this salad with a sprinkling of extra toasted pine nuts on top for an added crunch. Sometimes, fresh chopped parsley or a few thin slices of green onion give it a pretty pop of color and freshness. If you want to dress it up a bit, a small drizzle of honey or a dash of smoked paprika on the side can be unexpected but delightful extras.

Side Dishes

Pair this cranberry chicken salad with classic sides like a crisp garden salad or lightly buttered croissants. On warmer days, I often serve it with chilled cucumber slices or a simple fruit salad to keep it light and refreshing. It also makes a fantastic filling for wraps served alongside your favorite crunchy chips.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun party idea, I sometimes scoop the salad into hollowed-out mini bell peppers or tomato cups — they make for beautiful, handheld appetizers that everyone loves. You could also pile the salad atop baked sweet potato halves or crisp endive leaves for a classy appetizer or light lunch option that looks as good as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cranberry chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep it tasting fresh, I usually stir it gently before serving again, and sometimes add a quick squeeze of lemon juice or a dash more mayo if it seems a little dry from chilling.

Freezing

While I love making this salad ahead, I don’t recommend freezing it because mayonnaise-based salads often separate or get watery upon thawing. Instead, make it fresh or refrigerate for a few days as planned.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so I don’t reheat leftovers. Just let it sit out for 10 minutes before serving if it’s straight from the fridge, and it’s ready to go!

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this cranberry chicken salad recipe?

Yes, you can use cooked frozen chicken, but it’s best to thaw it completely and ensure it’s not dry before chopping. Freshly cooked chicken tends to give a better texture and juicier flavor, so if you have time, freshly poached or roasted is preferable.
What can I substitute for pine nuts in this recipe?

Great question! Toasted pecans, almonds, or walnuts all work well and add delightful crunch and flavor. I often swap pine nuts with pecans depending on what I have — each nut brings a slightly different character, so feel free to experiment.
How long can I store cranberry chicken salad in the fridge?

You can safely keep it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Beyond that, the texture may start to change and the flavors might dull. Always keep it chilled and give it a quick stir before serving.
What are the best serving ideas for cranberry chicken salad?

This salad shines in sandwiches, on croissants, or served over fresh greens. For a low-carb twist, try serving it atop crisp apple slices or in lettuce cups — both add a lovely crunch and complement the sweet and savory flavors beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe holds a special place in my repertoire because it’s both simple and impressive, making it a hit whether you’re feeding family or showing up to a potluck. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s truly one of those recipes that feels homemade but delivers a little extra wow-factor every time. So next time you want an easy, tasty dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture, give this salad a try — your taste buds (and guests) will thank you!