Dinner

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

ByZoe Lane December 28, 2025December 28, 2025

Introduction

This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors. Perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner, it combines tender chicken, crunchy pecans, and tart dried cranberries, all wrapped in a creamy, tangy dressing.

A close-up view of a creamy chicken salad served on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has several layers, starting with chunks of white chicken meat mixed with a creamy dressing that has small black poppy seeds sprinkled throughout. Scattered evenly across the salad are bright green chopped celery pieces and green onion slices, adding contrast. Dark red dried cranberries are spread throughout the salad, giving pops of color. On top, in the center, sits a neat circle of whole, toasted pecan halves with a warm brown color and smooth texture. The overall look is fresh and colorful with a creamy and crunchy texture mix. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons honey (softened)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Salt (to taste)
4 cups chicken breast, cooked and chopped (about 2 chicken breasts)
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
4 green onions, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well blended. Season with salt to taste.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the chopped chicken, pecans, dried cranberries, and green onions. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Add additional salt if needed.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the salad.
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier twist in the dressing.
Add diced celery or apples for more texture and a fresh flavor boost.
Serve the salad on a bed of mixed greens or inside a pita for a different presentation.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dressing may thicken when chilled; stir gently before serving. Avoid freezing as the texture of the salad ingredients can be affected.

How to Serve

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a creamy chicken salad with several layers. The base layer is chopped cooked chicken coated in a light creamy dressing with black poppy seeds mixed in. Scattered evenly throughout are small bright green chopped celery pieces and sliced green onion tops. Dark red dried cranberries are scattered all over, adding rich color contrast. In the center, a neat arrangement of whole toasted pecans forms a small circle, adding a brown, textured layer on top. The colors of white, green, red, and brown create an inviting mix. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this salad?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is a convenient option that works perfectly. Just chop it into bite-sized pieces and proceed with the recipe as usual.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. This chicken salad holds up well in the fridge and makes a great ready-to-eat meal. Keep the dressing separate if possible to maintain the best texture, then toss before serving.