Description
A delicious and creamy Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad that combines tender rotisserie chicken with crunchy toasted walnuts, sweet dried cranberries, and a tangy yogurt-mayonnaise dressing, perfect for serving chilled on bread or fresh lettuce.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (light sour cream or lowfat yogurt preferred)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
Salad
- 3 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken (white meat from a rotisserie chicken recommended)
- ½ cup finely chopped celery or finely chopped apple
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup chopped toasted walnuts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, minced flat leaf parsley, and dried dill until smooth and well combined.
- Add main ingredients: To the bowl with the dressing, add the chopped or shredded cooked chicken, finely chopped celery or apple, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. Stir everything gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season the salad: Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix again to distribute the seasoning throughout the salad.
- Toast the walnuts (if not pre-toasted): Place walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly toasted. Be careful not to burn them. Allow them to cool before adding to the salad.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the chicken salad until cold. Serve chilled on your choice of bread or over fresh lettuce for a light and refreshing meal.
Notes
- To toast walnuts: Place walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly toasted. Cool before adding to the salad to enhance their crunch and flavor.
- You can substitute celery with finely chopped apple for a sweeter crunch.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use light or lowfat sour cream or Greek yogurt to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
