I am always on the look out for easy and healthy lunch ideas. I need something that is high in protein I can throw together while making the kids lunches in the mornings. Because let’s face it after spending 20 minutes prepping their lunches the last thing I want to do is take up more of that precious morning coffee time packing a separate lunch for me. Hence this amazing recipe for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad.
It has been quite some time since I have had a great chicken salad. I mean one where you actually taste the chicken, not like the heavy creamy processed ones you see at the stores. I tend to stay away from pre mixed anything at grocery stores number one, I just do not like putting processed foods into mine or my families bodies and number two pure taste. Why eat it if it does not taste good to you!!
It seems like lately there are so many different versions of chicken salad, ones with avocado (which don’t get me wrong is super delicious), ones loaded with bacon (again another tasty option) but sometimes you just want something simple and go back to the basics.
What I love about this chicken salad recipe is how fresh and easy it is. You don’t even have to worry about cooking up chicken! Next trip to the store pick up a Rotisserie Chicken, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and voila! Um… hello instant tasty high protein lunch right there! Now you have NO excuses!
This recipe lasts up to a week in the refrigerator and doesn’t dry out!
So, if you’re in a need of an healthy easy lunch recipe to make for the family, this recipe is it!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 Cup finely chopped celery
- ½ Cup dried cranberries
- ½ Cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup Olive Oil mayonaise
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons of Cherry Almond Crema Vinegar from Oil & Vinegar (or Red wine vinegar will suffice)
- Handful of celery leaves, chopped
Directions:
Add shredded chicken to a large bowl along with celery, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. If opting to add chopped celery leaves, add these as well.
Stir together until just combined.
Serve with bread or croissant in a sandwich, by itself, or as a lettuce wrap for a low carb option!
- 1 pound rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 Cup finely chopped celery
- ½ Cup dried cranberries
- ½ Cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup Olive Oil mayonaise
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons of Cherry Almond Crema Vinegar from Oil & Vinegar (or Red wine vinegar will suffice)
- Handful of celery leaves, chopped
- Add shredded chicken to a large bowl along with celery, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. If opting to add chopped celery leaves, add these as well.
- Stir together until just combined.
- Serve with bread or croissant in a sandwich, by itself, or as a lettuce wrap for a low carb option!
YUUUM! This looks SO good, Love all of the flavors and textures- perfect on a salad or sammie for lunch!
Thank you Karly! Yes, this Chicken Salad would be great on top of a mixed green salad for some added protein!
Chicken salad is a great go-to in my house. This sounds scrumptious with those pecans…and on a croissant….oh, my!
Thank you Amanda! The croissant definitely kicked this chicken salad up a notch.
Looks fantastic! Perfect for lunches! I love a good chicken salad and this one looks divine!
Thanks Amanda! Super good for lunches and for gluten free options use butter lettuce for a wrap!
such an interesting combination of flavors! I love pecans, I bet this is super tasty! 🙂
Thank you Veronika! I love the texture the pecans give to this chicken salad!