Introduction:
Chicken salad is one of those recipes that never stops being useful. It’s quick, satisfying, and turns simple cooked chicken
into something you can eat all week—sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, snack plates, or straight from the bowl.
This Cranberry Pecan Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad keeps everything you love about the classic version—
creamy texture, savory flavor, and satisfying bite—but swaps most (or all) of the mayonnaise for
Greek yogurt.
The result is lighter, tangier, and higher in protein, with a dressing that still feels rich and comforting. Dried
cranberries add sweet pops of flavor, pecans bring buttery crunch, and a quick lemon-Dijon seasoning gives the whole bowl a
bright, balanced finish. It’s the kind of chicken salad that tastes “special,” like something you’d order at a café,
but it takes just minutes to make at home.
This recipe is especially great for meal prep because it holds up well in the fridge and actually tastes better after a few
hours, when the flavors have time to blend. Make it once, and you’ll see why it becomes a go-to lunch solution.
Ingredients:
For the chicken salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced (or green onion for milder flavor)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (lightly toasted is even better)
- Optional: 1 small apple, diced (adds fresh crunch)
For the Greek yogurt dressing:
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat for best texture)
- 1–2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for extra “classic” richness)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, balances tang)
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Optional add-ins:
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (surprisingly good with cranberries + pecans)
- Pinch of cayenne (for gentle heat)
- Fresh parsley (for color and freshness)
Instructions:
- Prep the chicken.
If you haven’t already, cook and cool chicken, then dice or shred it. (Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut.) - Mix the dressing.
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