Healthy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe 
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Healthy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe – sweet, dried cranberries and crunchy almonds round out this creamy chicken salad, perfect for a quick lunch! With 29 grams of protein per serving, it’s a healthy lunch that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Just give me some chicken salad for lunch, and I’m a happy girl. I love the simplicity of a classic chicken salad recipe – nutritious and filling with a little bit of sweet and a little bit of crunch. There are countless ways to make chicken salad, but I’m currently loving this version with dried cranberries and almonds. This healthy chicken salad recipe can easily be made ahead for lunches on the go during your busy week. It’s also just fancy enough to add to a brunch or party menu and is perfect for the holiday season.
Why Chicken Salad is the Perfect Meal
Chicken Salad includes all the components of a tasty well-balanced meal. It contains plenty of protein and healthy fat, along with fiber from veggies and fruit, and nuts for additional healthy fat and some crunch. All combined with your choice of seasonings make for a super delicious and filling meal with tons of flavor. This seems to be the perfect combo for keeping me feeling full and satisfied until my next meal.
I love all the different ways you can pull together an easy chicken salad with super simple ingredients. I think I really formed my chicken salad-for-lunch habit on my first round of Whole30. I created this Curry Chicken Salad with Apples recipe and quickly became addicted! From there, I tried a Buffalo Chicken Salad and found another favorite, this Rosemary Chicken Salad. With the addition of this Healthy Cranberry Chicken Salad recipe, I have a whole repertoire of delicious chicken salad varieties to choose from!
What You’ll Need
- Cooked chicken breast – make your own in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, or use rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken
- Avocado Oil Mayonnaise (store bought or homemade)
- Dried Cranberries
- Slivered or sliced Almonds
- Green Onions
- Sea Salt and black pepper
How to Make Homemade Chicken Salad
To make chicken salad, follow this basic formula:
- Start with a base of shredded or cubed cooked chicken. Butcher Box has been my favorite source of organic chicken for years – it’s top quality, affordable, and delivered right to your door!
- Add a creamy base like mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt.
- Choose your flavor profile to add to the chicken and mayo – buffalo sauce, curry powder, fresh herbs, whatever your fancy.
- Choose finely chopped veggies and/or fruits that will compliment your flavor profile. For example, carrots and celery for a buffalo chicken version or grapes and apples for a Waldorf Chicken Salad.
- Then add some nuts for crunch – almonds, pecans, and walnuts are all great choices, just pick your favorite.
- Finally, season with salt and pepper.
Instructions for Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad
- Combine the cooked chicken, mayo, cranberries, sliced almonds, and green onion in a large bowl.
- Toss together and season with salt and pepper if desired.
Variations
- Make it a Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad or Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad by substituting walnuts or pecans for the almonds.
- Try other add-ins – crunchy celery or red onion are a great option in this recipe.
- Swap plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for the mayonnaise.
Helpful Tips
- I highly recommend using this Instant Pot method for cooking your boneless skinless chicken breasts. It’s so simple and quick! My other pro tip for making your own shredded chicken is to skip the forks and shred the chicken using your stand or hand mixer. It’s like magic!
- My favorite creamy mayo is my own homemade avocado oil recipe but a Whole30 compliant store bought version is fine too!
- To keep this Cranberry Chicken Salad Whole30 compliant, look for the dried cranberries that do not have any added sugar. There are several varieties of dried cranberries that are naturally sweetened with apple juice. Just check your labels!
- If making it ahead, portion individual servings into these glass containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
How to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad
- Serve in lettuce cups or on a bed of lettuce greens.
- Make a chicken salad sandwich with your favorite bread – I love Ezekiel sprouted grain bread or homemade sourdough.
- Try it wrapped in a tortilla, lettuce wrap, or low carb wrap.
- Make this recipe for meal prep and package it up in sealed container for quick lunches.
- Serve for dinner paired with your favorite soup (I love this Butternut Squash Bisque) for an easy meal.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Salad
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chicken Salad will keep for 3-4 days.
Healthy Cranberry Chicken Salad Macros
If you’re tracking macros or looking to up your protein intake, this is a great recipe to include in your rotation.
Protein – 29 grams
Carbs – 10 grams
Fat – 33 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Cranberry Chicken Salad (Whole30 Paleo Keto)
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked cubed or shredded chicken breast
- 1/3 cup homemade Whole30 Mayo or compliant brand
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (sweetened with apple juice)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Toss together until well coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Nutrition
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Vegetarian
Dairy Free
3 Comments on “Healthy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe”
Love the chicken salad with cranberries!
So good and so easy! Thanks for sharing.
Great combination! Love it!