Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

$To make a tasty cranberry almond chicken salad, gather these main ingredients: - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted - 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley for garnish These ingredients blend well to create a colorful and nutritious dish. The chicken gives protein, while the cranberries add a sweet touch. The toasted almonds give crunch and flavor. You can make this salad even better with some optional add-ins: - Chopped apples for extra sweetness - Grapes for a burst of juice - Avocado for creaminess - Spinach or mixed greens for more color These add-ins will enhance the taste and texture. Feel free to mix and match based on what you like. To elevate the flavor of your salad, consider these recommended seasonings: - A sprinkle of garlic powder - A dash of lemon juice for brightness - A pinch of cayenne pepper for heat These seasonings can add depth and excitement to your dish. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start with 2 cups of cooked chicken breast. I like to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use any kind of chicken you have. Rotisserie chicken works great if you want to save time. Just make sure it is cooled before you shred it. Place the shredded chicken into a large mixing bowl. This will be the base of your salad. Next, add the fun ingredients! Toss in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. They add a sweet touch. Then, add 1/2 cup of sliced and toasted almonds for crunch. Chop 1/4 cup of celery and 1/4 cup of red onion. Stir these into the bowl. Mix everything together gently until well combined. This step makes sure every bite is tasty. In a small bowl, make the dressing. Combine 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste. Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth. Pour this dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir well to coat every piece of chicken and veggie. Taste it to see if you want more salt or pepper. Now, cover the bowl and chill the salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend and get even better! Before you serve, give it a good stir and sprinkle some fresh parsley on top. Enjoy your delicious Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad! To shred chicken, first, let it cool a bit. Use two forks to pull apart the meat. Start at one end and work your way through. This method works well with warm or cold chicken. If you have a stand mixer, you can also use it. Place the chicken in the mixer and use the paddle attachment on low speed for quick shredding. Store your chicken salad in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and tasty. If you need to store it for later, put it in the fridge. It lasts for about three to four days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. However, the texture may change when thawed. To freeze, use a freezer-safe container and label it with the date. To boost the flavor of your chicken salad, add a squeeze of lemon juice. This brightens the dish and adds a nice tang. You can also mix in some fresh herbs, like dill or cilantro. These herbs bring a fresh taste and a pop of color. For a spicy kick, add a dash of cayenne or some chopped jalapeños. Taste as you go to find your perfect blend of flavors. Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quicker option, use store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds great flavor. Customize Your Nuts: Feel free to swap out almonds for walnuts or pecans for a different flavor and texture. Chill for Best Flavor: Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors meld together beautifully. Make it Ahead: This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it perfect for meal prep or picnics. {{image_2}} You can make this salad lighter by using Greek yogurt. This creamy yogurt adds protein and cuts down on fat. Replace the mayo with 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt. It gives the salad a nice tang. Plus, it keeps the salad moist and delicious. You won’t miss the mayo at all! If you have nut allergies, you can easily change the recipe. Omit the sliced almonds and replace them with sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds add a nice crunch and healthy fats. You can also include pumpkin seeds for extra flavor. This keeps the salad safe and tasty for everyone. You can also adapt this salad to fit the seasons. In fall, add diced apples for a sweet crunch. In summer, throw in fresh berries for vibrant color and flavor. You can even swap cranberries for pomegranate seeds in winter. Each variation brings a new twist to this classic dish, making it fun to enjoy all year round! Store your cranberry almond chicken salad in an airtight container. This helps keep the salad fresh. Place the container in the fridge right after you make it. It’s best to eat it within three days for the best taste. If you have leftovers, try to keep them cool. Avoid leaving the salad at room temperature for more than two hours. You can freeze the chicken salad, but it may change in texture. If you want to freeze it, leave out the almonds and dressing. The nuts can become soggy when thawed. Use a freezer-safe container or bag. Label it with the date. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before eating. Each ingredient in your salad has a different shelf life. Cooked chicken lasts about three to four days in the fridge. Dried cranberries can stay good for six months or longer. Sliced almonds last about two weeks after opening. Greek yogurt usually lasts one to three weeks after the sell-by date. Always check for spoilage before using any ingredient. Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds great flavor. Just shred the chicken and add it to your bowl. The salad will still taste fresh and delicious. If you don't have Greek yogurt, use sour cream or plain yogurt. Both options work well. You can also try mayonnaise for a creamier taste. Adjust the amount of honey for sweetness if needed. To make the salad more filling, add cooked quinoa or chickpeas. You can also include diced apples or grapes for extra texture and flavor. These additions will make the salad heartier and more satisfying. Yes, this salad stays good for up to three days in the fridge. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. If it smells or looks off, it's best to throw it away. This blog post covered key steps to make a tasty chicken salad. We looked at the main ingredients, optional add-ins, and seasonings that boost flavor. You learned how to prepare the chicken and mix everything. I shared tips for shredding chicken and storing leftovers. I also offered variations for health needs and season preferences. Remember, this salad can adapt to many tastes and is easy to enjoy. Use these ideas to create your perfect dish today.$

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

A refreshing and nutritious chicken salad with cranberries and almonds.

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
0.5 cup dried cranberries
0.5 cup sliced almonds, toasted
0.25 cup celery, finely chopped
0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
0.5 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
to taste Salt and pepper
for garnish Fresh parsley

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, chopped celery, and red onion.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well-coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or pepper according to your preference.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a good stir and sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish.

Notes

Letting the salad chill enhances the flavors.

Keyword chicken, cranberry, healthy, salad