Do you have leftover chicken you don't know what to do with? Make this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad for the perfect way to use up homemade or rotisserie chicken. You can even use leftover Thanksgiving turkey to give boring leftovers a brand new, utterly delicious makeover!

This fall-inspired twist on traditional chicken salad is easy to make, and even though it has just 10 simple ingredients, it packs a ton of flavor! With shredded chicken, toasted pecans, crisp diced apple, fresh celery, sweet dried cranberries, mayo, and dijon mustard, this cranberry pecan chicken salad is the perfect combination of flavors and textures!

Cranberry pecan chicken salad on bread with lettuce for a sandwich.

As a big fan of chicken salad myself, I have tried MANY and had my fair share of bland ones. So, I made sure that this recipe didn't fall short! Salt and pepper are tried-and-true flavor boosters and the Dijon mustard adds additional depth. Toasting the pecans keeps them from getting soggy, deepens their flavor, and adds warm nuttiness, as well.

If you aren't sold yet on the amazing flavors of this cranberry chicken salad, the sheer versatility also makes it a total game-changer. It is great for meal prep, lunch, dinner, and spring, summer, or fall cookouts. It is delicious on its own, on top of salads, used in wraps/sandwiches, or just scooped with chips or crackers.

This cranberry pecan chicken salad is easy to make ahead - which actually helps the flavors blend together - and it can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days without getting soggy or drying out!

The toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crisp apple make this chicken salad feel a little more fall-like, similar in flavor profile to this Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken. However, if you want something just as easy to transport, that feels a little more summery, but is also a hearty and delicious chicken salad option, I'd recommend this Avocado BLT Chicken Salad instead.

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.

Raw chicken in a baking dish seasoned with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Place chicken in the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Bake chicken, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Step 4: Add pecans to a baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden.

Step 5: Remove from oven immediately and allow to cool completely. Be careful not to burn the pecans.

Cubed chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 6: Once chicken has cooled, shred with two forks or cut into smaller pieces and place in the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. Set to medium low speed and allow the paddle to shred the chicken. (This is my preferred method since it makes it so quick and easy!)

Shredded chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 7: Use your hands to break apart any of the larger chicken pieces.

⭐️ Quick Tip! Make sure to roughly cut up the cooked chicken before adding it to your stand mixer. If the chicken breasts are left whole, they'll whip around the bowl (and possibly your kitchen!), leaving you with a mess. If the chicken is cut into pieces, it'll be a lot easier for the paddle attachment to shred it up.

Toasted pecans, apples, cranberries, grapes, and celery added to the bowl with the shredded chicken.

Step 8: Add toasted pecans, diced apples, celery, grapes, and dried cranberries to the bowl with the shredded chicken. Using a spoon, stir to combine.

Mayonnaise and dijon mixed into shredded chicken, apples, celery, pecans, grapes, and cranberries.

Step 9: Add mayonnaise and dijon. Stir again until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasonings or dijon to desired flavor.

Cranberry pecan chicken salad on toasted bread with crisp lettuce.

Step 10: Serve with crackers for scooping or on toasted bread with crisp lettuce for a sandwich.

Cranberry pecan chicken salad in a brown bowl with a serving spoon.

My Top Tips!

⭐️ If you’re short on time, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken! Just skip steps 2 and 3 and shred/remove the cooked chicken from the bone.

⭐️ If you prefer a diced chicken salad, instead of shredded chicken, you can finely dice the chicken, then prepare the rest of the recipe as it is written.

⭐️ Personally, I don’t love the flavor of raw onion, so I don’t include it in my chicken or tuna salads. However, I know many people do, so if you like it, feel free to finely dice some red onion and add it in!