This delicious Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, with a tangy poppy seed dressing, will up your salad game. This salad is the ideal combination of flavors and textures, featuring tender chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy dressing. Whether served as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution, this salad will impress with its vibrant colors and irresistible flavor.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
For the Poppy Seed Dressing:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Cook the chicken breasts by grilling, baking, or poaching them until fully cooked. Allow them to cool, then shred or dice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Toast the Pecans:
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Make the Poppy Seed Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds until well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the sweetness or acidity according to your preference by adding more honey or lemon juice if desired.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and sliced green onions.
- Pour the poppy seed dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve:
- Arrange the mixed greens on serving plates or in a large salad bowl.
- Top the greens with the prepared Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad mixture.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional pecans or cranberries if desired.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a delicious combination of flavors and textures that will satisfy your taste buds. This salad is versatile and delicious, whether served as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a filling main course. With tender chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy poppy seed dressing, this dish will leave you wanting more. So, prepare a batch of this flavorful salad and enjoy a burst of freshness with each bite!