Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is Yummy Any Time of Year

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is one of those recipes we come back to over and over again. It is refreshing, lightly sweet, a little crunchy, and perfect for the days when you want something homemade without spending much time in the kitchen. We love it for quick lunches, easy dinners, or even a mid-afternoon snack with crackers.

Since we are publishing this during the holiday season, we also have to mention how wonderful it is with leftover turkey. After Thanksgiving when everyone is feeling a little tired of reheated leftovers, this salad feels like a treat. The cranberries and almonds pair beautifully with turkey and turn those leftovers into something new and delicious.

Whether you make this with chicken or turkey, the flavors always come together beautifully. It is creamy, bright, and filled with texture.  It truly is one of those simple recipes you’ll want to keep stocked in the fridge all week.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This chicken salad hits all the right notes for convenience, flavor, and versatility.

• Perfect for meal prep: It lasts several days.  Lunches are always ready to go.

• Great textures: Crunchy almonds, chewy cranberries, crisp celery.

• Easy to customize: Add apples, grapes, or swap mayo for yogurt.

• A great use for leftover chicken or turkey: Perfect for the holidays.

• Versatile serving options: Sandwiches, wraps, salads, or pitas.  And as we said above, use it like a dip with crackers.

This simple mix of ingredients creates a wonderfully balanced dish that feels light yet satisfying.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

What makes this recipe so special is the contrast of flavors and textures. The sweet dried cranberries, the crunch from the almonds, the freshness from celery, and the mild bite of red onion all blend perfectly with the creamy dressing.

The dressing uses mayonnaise, a touch of Dijon mustard, and lemon juice to keep everything bright. If you want to lighten it up, swapping half the mayo for Greek yogurt works beautifully without losing creaminess.

While we usually make this with chopped chicken breast, rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey both work wonderfully. In fact, turkey gives the salad a seasonal feel that we love during late fall and winter.

Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is simple to make, but a few small touches make it even better.

• Toast the almonds for a warm, nutty flavor.

• Chill the salad before serving so the flavors blend.

• Chop everything evenly for the best bite in every spoonful.

• Adjust the creaminess by adding a little more mayo if needed.

• Taste before adding extra salt because the flavors develop as it rests.

Feel free to add diced apples, halved grapes, or fresh herbs if you want to change things up. This recipe is very flexible and always delicious.

To store, keep it chilled in an airtight container. It stays fresh for up to four days which makes it perfect for grab-and-go meals throughout the week.

Equipment

• Mixing bowl – Combine ingredients evenly

• Spoon – Mix and serve

• Cutting board and knife – Chop chicken and vegetables

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad, we think you’ll love these too:

• Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts – Juicy chicken with a delicious savory filling.

• Tuscan Chicken Recipe – A creamy one-pan dinner filled with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

• Herb Roasted Turkey Breast – Tender turkey that works beautifully in this salad.

• Creamy Chicken Alfredo with Capers – A rich and satisfying keto-friendly dish.  Remember:  You can swap the chicken for turkey in this recipe as well!

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is one of those simple recipes that makes busy days easier and tastier. We love how quickly it comes together and how well it works with both chicken and leftover turkey.

Whether you use it for sandwiches, wraps, salads, dips, or snacks throughout the week, it is a fresh and flavorful dish that always feels satisfying. Make a batch, keep it in the fridge, and enjoy a ready-made meal whenever you need it.

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

This Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad combines tender chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy almonds, and a creamy dressing for a light and satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Equipment

• Mixing bowl For combining the ingredients evenly
• Cutting board For chopping the chicken and celery

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 cups cooked chicken breast chopped (about 450 g)
• ½ cup dried cranberries 60 g
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds 30 g, toasted if desired
• ½ cup celery finely chopped (60 g)
• ¼ cup red onion finely diced (30 g)
• ½ cup light mayonnaise 120 g
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 15 g
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 15 ml
• ¼ tsp salt 1.5 g
• ¼ tsp black pepper 0.5 g

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, cranberries, almonds, celery, and red onion.
• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
• Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.
• Serve on whole-grain bread, in lettuce wraps, or over a bed of greens.

Notes

• Make it lighter: Swap half of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
• Meal prep tip: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Add crunch: Try adding diced apples or halved grapes for extra texture.
• Serving ideas: Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or even a quick snack with crackers.

Keyword chicken

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