An easy and quick meal or meal prep option, this paleo and Whole30 approved cranberry pecan chicken salad makes a protein packed and filling meal for lunch or dinner! Made with just 7 ingredients and ready in 5 minutes.
Last updated on October 17, 2019. This recipe was originally posted on Pure Taste Recipes.
We are in the season of being hella busy – traveling, weddings, parties, seeing friends and family, and more. So today I’m sharing a super simple and quick recipe for you! Nothing says easy like healthy chicken salad and since it’s fall and getting into the holiday season, I wanted to make a festive one – hello cranberry pecan chicken salad!
By now y’all should know I love shredded chicken. I usually make a batch at the beginning of the week and it makes life so much easier come meal time. I’ll repurpose it a bunch of different ways and one of the ways is usually chicken salad.
I try to change the flavors and ingredients each week, but this cranberry pecan chicken salad is of my favorite. It has some sweetness from the cranberries, nuttiness from the pecans, and some freshness from the celery. The longer you let it sit, the better it gets too!
My dad is visiting and he tried it and loves it too! He said that usually all you can taste is mayo in chicken salad and this one is the complete opposite. It is lightly dressed with mayo (although you can add more if you like more mayo) and some lemon juice keeping it super light and fresh.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad (Paleo/Whole30)
You only need 7 ingredients (plus some salt and pepper) and 5 minutes to whip up this chicken salad. The key is having shredded chicken already on hand. I usually make some in the crockpot or InstaPot in the beginning of the week, but you can also just use a store bought rotisserie chicken.
Here is what you need:
- shredded chicken
- celery
- pecans
- dried cranberries (a great brand with no added sugar)
- mayo
- cinnamon
- lemon juice
- lemon zest if you want to get a little fancy
- salt and pepper
To make the chicken salad, it’s as easy as adding all the ingredients into a bowl and stirring to combine. Either eat it right away, or let it chill for a few hours to help the flavors come together. To keep it paleo and Whole30 approved, I used unsweetened cranberries and compliant mayo.
I feel it’s nice to have a healthy meal without any added sugar in the madness of all the candy and treats during the this time of year. If you aren’t doing the Whole30 and can’t find sugar free cranberries (I did link some above though), you can substitute with what you have on hand.
I love to serve this cranberry pecan chicken salad in lettuce wraps, on a salad, or just it as is with some veggies and carbs on the side. It would also be great on toast or sweet potato toast and in a sandwich – it is super versatile whatever way you want to have it!
Substitutions for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
The beauty about chicken salad, is most of the time, whatever you throw in there, will work. You can make this your own depending on what you have on hand. Here are some of my suggestions:
- nuts – if you don’t have pecans, you can sub walnuts or almonds. Any nut will work you can keep it nut free by using pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- dried cranberries – if you can’t find or have cranberries, diced apples or even raisins would work. Grapes would also be good too.
- celery – if you don’t like celery, you can totally leave it out.
- mayo – Greek yogurt is a great substitution for mayo and adds some protein and lowers the fat.
Make it your own for an easy family lunch, for meal prep, parties, or game day!
More Paleo Chicken Salad Recipes
Paleo Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad
Harvest Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad (Paleo/Whole30)
ingredients
- 4 cups shredded chicken (457 grams/16 ounces)
- 2 stalks celery, chopped (1/2 cup/65 grams)
- 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 6 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- zest from one lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Add all ingredients into a large bowl and mix well to combine.
- Serve in lettuce wraps, on salads, in sandwiches, or as a snack with veggies. Enjoy!
nutrition
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Laura says
Love this recipe! I’ve only just come into liking chicken salad in my late 30s and this one is light, refreshing and flavorful.
Kelly says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Laura!
Keira says
What a great spin on chicken salad.
Kelly says
Thanks Keira!
Hillary says
This was such an easy meal prep and a nice change from traditional chicken salad!
Kelly says
Happy to hear that Hillary! Thanks for trying it!
Daf says
Best chicken salad I’ve had in a long time not to mayonnaise tasting
Kelly says
So glad you liked it!!