• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Celebrating Sweets
  • All Recipes
  • Dessert
    • Brownies & Bars
    • Cake & Cupcakes
    • Cookies
    • Ice Cream/Frozen Desserts
    • Pies & Tarts
  • Drinks & Cocktails
  • Main Dishes
  • Breakfast
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Fall Favorites
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Drinks & Cocktails
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
×

Home » Main Dishes » Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Published: May 12, 2018 · Modified: Aug 25, 2021 by Allison · 58 Comments

  • Share
  • Email
Jump to Recipe

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad – Easy chicken salad filled with tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, celery, dill, and parsley. For a healthier option, you can use Greek yogurt in the dressing and serve the chicken salad on lettuce instead of bread. VIDEO BELOW!

Chicken salad in a wooden bowl topped with dried cranberries.As the weather heats up in Arizona, I start craving easy no-cook meals. Every weekend I do our grocery shopping for the upcoming week, and I always pick up a rotisserie chicken. Between soup, chili, sandwiches, or salads, I always find a way to use the chicken during the week. Lately we have been using rotisserie chicken for this this easy Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad.

Ingredients for chicken salad in a glass bowl.

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

This is my personal favorite version of chicken salad. It includes dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, chopped apple or celery, and just a touch of dill and parsley. The dressing is made from mayo, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and a splash of fresh lemon juice.

This recipe can easily be made lighter/healthier by using Greek yogurt and by serving the chicken salad in lettuce cups or over mixed greens. It’s a fairly low carb recipe (except for the dried cranberries), so for people who try to watch their carb intake, this is a great high protein meal. Note: Full nutrition facts below.

A close up of a sandwich on a plate

Tips for making Cranberry Chicken Salad

  • Take a shortcut with a rotisserie chicken.
  • Prefer to cook the chicken yourself? I love this recipe.
  • Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste (I like extra dill and black pepper in mine).
  • Use toasted nuts (so much flavor!). This recipe calls for walnuts, but pecans or pistachios would be a great substitute.
  • Don’t have dried cranberries? I have also used dried cherries and raisins with success.
  • If you’re out of sour cream you can try one of these Sour Cream Substitutes. 

A sandwich cut in half

How do you like to eat your chicken salad? On bread? With crackers? In lettuce cups? Sometimes I just steal bites from the fridge right off a fork. Since this is a high protein, fairly low-carb meal, I can eat it guilt free. And just in time for bathing suit season. 😉

However you decide to eat it I know that you will love it! Extra points if you get to enjoy it while sitting outside on a beautiful, warm day.

You might also like: HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS –  CHICKEN RICE SOUP – TORTELLINI SALAD

 

Recipe

Chicken salad in a wooden bowl topped with dried cranberries.

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Easy chicken salad filled with tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, celery, dill, and parsley. For a healthier option, you can use Greek yogurt in the dressing and serve the chicken salad on lettuce instead of bread.
5 from 31 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: main, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 - 6
Calories: 318kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, I prefer light sour cream or lowfat yogurt
  • 1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • 3 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken, I use white meat from a rotisserie chicken
  • ½ cup finely chopped celery or finely chopped apple
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup chopped toasted walnuts, see note
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, lemon juice, parsley, and dill. Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled on bread or lettuce.

Video

Notes

To toast walnuts: Place walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, until fragrant and toasted. Watch them carefully so they don't burn. Cool before adding to the chicken salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 169mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
« Blueberry Lemonade
Banana Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Kelly Cassell

    August 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    Served this for a luncheon..7/7 women loved it! All requested recipe:)

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      August 16, 2018 at 1:46 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks for taking the time to stop by to share!

      Reply
      • Kasey

        January 24, 2021 at 7:13 pm

        5 stars
        I am so glad I came across your recipe!! I’ve made this several times now and it is just as wonderful with dried cherries. I absolutely love it! I’m not much of a sandwich person, so I typically enjoy it with pita chips instead!

      • Allison

        January 25, 2021 at 10:53 am

        That sounds delicious! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

  2. Cindy

    January 08, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    I am not a fan of chicken salad but this recipe has changed my mind. I just made this and it is absolutely delicious. Thank you

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      January 08, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      I’m glad to hear that. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  3. Kelly

    January 20, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    Would this work with salad cream instead of mayo?

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      January 20, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      I don’t know what salad cream is. If it is like sour cream, plain yogurt or creme fraiche, then yes, it should work.

      Reply
  4. Megan

    February 13, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    This is a great option for lunch to take to work.

    Reply
  5. Teri

    May 21, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    I made this recipe for little “tea sandwiches”. I choose to leave out the nuts this time. It was a fabulous recipe to serve along with the sweets I prepared for my tea! I got many compliments on these sandwiches!

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      May 22, 2019 at 10:32 am

      Great! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  6. El

    July 11, 2019 at 4:38 am

    Can you substitute something else for the cranberries

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      July 18, 2019 at 12:36 pm

      Sure, just about any other dried fruit should work (raisins, cherries, apricots etc).

      Reply
  7. Karla Tammaro

    August 16, 2019 at 2:41 pm

    How many servings is this recipe?

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      August 16, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      Approximately 4-6 servings.

      Reply
  8. Susan Golden

    February 05, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    I make this for my elder mother that won’t eat. She eats so much of this, it makes me so happy. I love it. I made this for my friends at work…. Thru couldn’t stop eating it. It’s a wonderful recipe.

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      February 06, 2020 at 10:22 am

      Thanks for the kind review, Susan. I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed it. 🙂 -Allison

      Reply
  9. NGreen

    August 10, 2020 at 6:44 pm

    Hi, just wondering how long it will last in the fridge!? Would like to make and use it through out the week for lunch. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Allison

      August 11, 2020 at 10:12 am

      It should keep for about 3-4 days (assuming the chicken is fresh the day you assemble it). Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Laura Peregoy

    October 07, 2020 at 11:40 am

    Tastes Amazing! Is the nutrutional info based on using regular sour cream? Light sour cream? greek yogurt?

    Reply
    • Allison

      October 08, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      Light sour cream. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Primary Sidebar

About

aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

Dessert Recipes

Small round cake topped with frosting and raspberries.

Mini Chocolate Cakes

Cinnamon Apples in a white baking dish.

Cinnamon Apples

Slice of brownie pie topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Brownie Pie

Scoops of strawberry shortcake ice cream in a white bowl.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Loaf of cranberry bread

Apple Cranberry Bread

Slice of Blueberry Pie on a white plate topped with whipped cream.

Blueberry Pie

More Dessert Recipes...

Popular Recipes:

Stack of three brownies on parchment paper

Fudgy Homemade Brownies

Apple crisp on a white plate topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Apple Crisp

Slice of strawberry shortcake cake on a white plate.

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Closeup of an M&M cookie topped with chocolate chips and M&M's.

Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies

Stack of carrot cake cookies on a white plate.

Carrot Cake Cookies

Loaf of banana nut bread cut open on a piece of parchment paper.

Banana Nut Bread

More Popular Recipes...

Logo for country living, food network, buzzfeed, msn, delish, good housekeeping

FREE BAKING GUIDE

Tips & Tricks for the Home Baker

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm your subscription.

.

Footer

Connect With Me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright 2013-2023 Celebrating Sweets

All images and content are copyright protected. Please contact me for permission to use my original images. If you want to republish a recipe, please re-write it in your own words, or link back to my post for the recipe.