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Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 30 reviews

This easy and delightful Chicken Salad recipe combines tender rotisserie chicken, crunchy toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crisp celery, all tossed in a creamy honey-mustard dressing with a hint of lemon and poppy seeds. Perfect for sandwiches or as a refreshing side, this salad offers a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Salad

  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken, diced
  • 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (see note 1)
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream (light works well)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Serving Suggestions

  • Croissants or sandwich rolls
  • Thinly sliced apples
  • Additional celery sticks
  • Crackers (such as Wheat Thins)

Instructions

  1. Toast Pecans: Place the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat. Toast them until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Keep a close eye as they can burn quickly. Once toasted, set aside to cool, then finely chop.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the diced rotisserie chicken, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, sliced celery, mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and lemon juice. Season with starting amounts of 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Gently stir everything together until evenly coated.
  3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad mixture and adjust salt and pepper as needed for balance and flavor.
  4. Serve: Serve the chicken salad on croissants with lettuce for a sandwich, or alongside thinly sliced apples, celery sticks, and crackers as a refreshing and crunchy accompaniment. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Toast pecans to enhance their flavor and crunch, but watch them carefully to prevent burning.
  • Light sour cream can be used to reduce fat content without sacrificing creaminess.
  • The salad pairs wonderfully with sliced apples, celery sticks, and wheat crackers for added texture and variety.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time; leftover cooked chicken works well too.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, rotisserie chicken, pecans, dried cranberries, healthy chicken salad, quick chicken salad, honey mustard chicken salad

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/chicken-salad-recipe/