Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad on a Multigrain Croissant

Cranberry pecan salad is one of my weekly staples. I love keeping a massive batch of it in my refrigerator to eat with salads, crackers, sandwich bread, or sometimes straight out of the container with a spoon.  Chicken salad is great for taking on trips, packing it up for a picnic at the pool, or a late-night protein snack. I used to buy the Sonoma chicken salad at Whole Foods every week, but it started to get so pricy for how much of it we were eating. I decided to start making my own, and I’m so happy I did! I actually find this recipe to be a bit more flavorful and less “mayo-eeee.” Plus, Whole Foods starting putting whole grapes in theirs, and that just threw me off. Lately, we’ve been enjoying this cranberry pecan chicken salad on a fresh multigrain croissant from our local grocery store. Chicken salad on a croissant hits differently. This is a great recipe to step up your lunch game. 

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Taralynn McNitt

The most delicious and creamy cranberry chicken salad recipe served on a multigrain croissant with fresh arugula greens.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 7

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups Cold Shredded Chicken (easiest with rotisserie)
• 1/2 Cup Light Mayonaise
• 1/2 Tbsp Honey
• 1 Tbsp Tahini
• 1 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp Dillweed
• 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Red Onion
• 3 Tbsp Chopped Celery
• 1/4 Cup Pecan Halves
• 1/4 Cup Dried Cranberries

Instructions

 

• Coat the three cups of shredded chicken with light mayonnaise, honey, tahini, and apple cider vinegar in a large bowl.
• Season the chicken with black pepper, dill weed, sea salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Give it a little taste test to see if it needs any extra seasoning.
• Fold in the chopped red onion, celery, pecan halves, and dried cranberries.
• Slice a multigrain croissant (or your choice of bread) in half and top it with 3/4th cup of the cranberry pecan chicken salad and a handful of fresh arugula or spinach.

Keyword healthy chicken salad recipe, chicken salad, multigrain croissants, chicken, shredded chicken, cranberry pecan chicken salad, dairy free, picnic, summer food, yum

 You can make the same recipe using tuna or even crushed chickpeas to make it vegan (swap the mayo for veganaise.) There are so many ways to make this recipe your own! And if you don’t like cranberries or pecans, try using chopped apples, sesame seeds, or dates. I hope you all enjoy this recipe! I can’t wait to have it all summer long.

Questions for you!

1. What is your favorite way to eat chicken salad?
2. Do you like summer picnics?
3. Favorite meal to have by the pool/beach?