Cranberry Chicken Salad – 10 Minutes

Name: 10 Minute Cranberry Chicken Salad - Dairy Free
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (5 ounce) cooked chicken breasts – cut into cubes; 4 slices sugar free bacon – cooked and cut into small pieces; 1 small/medium apple – diced (about 1 cup); 1/2 cup chopped cucumber; 1/4 cup chopped red onion; 1/4 cup chopped pecans; 1/4 cup dried cranberries – low sugar; 1/2 cup avocado mayo – I used Primal Kitchen; 1 teaspoon dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary – you can also use 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary; 1 teaspoon dried sage – you can also use 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage; 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme; 1 teaspoon honey; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

October 11, 2021 by Amy Estes Leave a Comment

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This 10 Minute Cranberry Chicken Salad is loaded with amazing flavors like apples, cranberries, pecans, and fresh herbs all mixed with a healthy avocado mayo. It makes the perfect light lunch or quick and easy dinner that is both dairy-free and gluten-free.

creamy cranberry chicken salad in green lettuce cups on a round white plate with another plate with more chicken salad behind it and a sprig of time on the table in back of it.

Chicken Salad of any kind is one of my go-to healthy meals all year round and this NEW Cranberry Chicken Salad is my favorite this time of year. It is just as delicious as this very popular Curry Chicken Salad or this Carrot Raisin Salad which are both also creamy and super crunchy. Two things that are very important in any salad recipe.

This recipe is great for meal prep and is so fun to serve in crisp lettuce cups or in a delicious wrap. It also stores great so it makes a wonderful recipe for meal prep.

Why you will love this recipe

It is packed with flavor and crunch.
This is an incredible creamy chicken salad recipe!
Loaded with protein and healthy fat.
Perfect for a light lunch or quick and easy dinner any day of the week.
It is both dairy-free and gluten-free!
Stores great and is even better the next day.

How to prepare chicken for chicken salad

To cook chicken, I typically drizzle it with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper, and either cook it in a skillet on the stove for 5 minutes per side or in the air fryer like in this Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast recipe. As always, you want to cook it until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

Then let it cool so the juices can redistribute into the chicken and then cut it into small cubes. You can do this in advance and have it ready to go in the refrigerator. It should store well after being completely cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Ingredients needed for cranberry chicken salad

A bunch of round small bowls on a white surface filled with various ingredients like cranberries, cubed chicken, diced cucumber, chopped, cooked bacon, chopped pecans, an apple, chopped red onion, mustard, honey and a sprig of thyme with labels over each ingredient.

Cooked chicken breast – I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breast but chicken things or even turkey breast will all work great!
Dried cranberries – low or no sugar, or you could use raisins.
Apple – any type of apple will work. I used a gala apple.
Bacon – cooked, bacon that you can make in advance. Applegate Farms is my favorite since it is nitrate free and packed with flavor.
Pecans – add some crunch to this salad.
Cucumber – I prefer to use English cucumbers since they contain fewer seeds and are easier to dice.
Red onion – diced, or shallots will also work.
Dressing ingredients – avocado mayo, dijon mustard, honey, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.

How To Make Cranberry Chicken Salad

You can make this easy recipe in less than 10 minutes and have it ready for quick and healthy meals all week long.

Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
Mix up the dressing.
Pour the dressing onto the salad and mix it all up.
Serve cold over mixed greens, in lettuce cups, or stuffed inside a healthy wrap.

Diced cooked chicken, chopped bacon, diced cucumber, diced red onion cranberries and pecans in a round glass bowl on a white counter with a stripped towel in front of it — **Add all salad ingredients to a bowl**

Round white bowl with a creamy mayo dressing in it with a spoon in the bowl and a sprig of thyme behind it with a stripped linen in front of it. — **Add all salad ingredients to a bowl**

Get the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions in the recipe card below.

I just love this recipe so much and the fact that it is both dairy-free and gluten-free is a huge bonus. You can make it in a few minutes and enjoy it all week long.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Cut the chicken and the veggies into small pieces so they all blend well together. I like to cook and cut the chicken and bacon in advance so I have it ready to go.
Use cooked turkey breast in place of the chicken. Great use of leftover turkey after the holidays!
You can buy avocado mayo at almost any grocery stores. I like Primal Kitchen brand but any brand will work.
You can switch up the veggies and use diced celery, carrots, or bell pepper for even more flavor and crunch.
If you prefer to leave out the bacon go ahead. It will still be crazy delicious. I like to use air fryer turkey bacon and use a brand like Applegate Farms that is healthier and uncured.

Serving Suggestions

This Cranberry Chicken Salad can be served in lettuce cups, as pictured, stuffed into a tortilla or pita, enjoyed over a bed of mixed greens, or even on top of sliced cucumber rounds.

It makes a great light snack or hearty meal you can enjoy for lunch, dinner, or in between.

Storing

You can store this chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Make sure you do not leave it out. Keeping it cold is key to helping it stay fresh.

More Dairy-Free Recipes to try

Other Chicken recipes to try!

Single lettuce cup filled with creamy chunky chicken salad with chopped bacon and diced cucumber in it on a white plate with a sprig of thyme behind it.

Did you make this cranberry chicken salad recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @pinchmegoodfood so I can see your creation.