5 from 48 votes
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts combines tender chicken breast cubes with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, balanced by fresh lemon juice. The salad offers a chewy, sweet touch from dried cranberries and a crunchy texture from toasted walnuts and diced celery. Mildly spiced with onion and black pepper, this chilled salad is ideal for sandwiches or croissants, delivering a refreshing and satisfying meal option.
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
274 kcal
Course:
Salad, Lunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups chicken breast chilled (see cooking notes below, cubed, poached or rotisserie
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice to taste, depending on how tart you like it, fresh
- 1/3 cup celery diced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced, or shallot
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts toasted, chopped
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley , chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly-ground
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir in celery, red onion, cranberries, walnuts, and parsley. Fold in cubed chicken.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for the flavors to meld. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper before serving.
- We like this chicken salad best on 4-grain bread, lightly-toasted farmhouse white, or croissants.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Poach chicken breasts with aromatics and salt to keep meat moist and flavorful for the salad.
- Chill the salad for at least one hour to let the flavors blend well before serving.
- Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days; add reserved dressing if it thickens upon standing.
- Suitable for sandwiches on various breads including croissants or rustic loaves.
Nutrition Information
Calories
274kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
10g
(3%)
Protein
14g
(28%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
49mg
(16%)
Sodium
307mg
(13%)
Potassium
290mg
(6%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
290IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
18mg
(2%)
Iron
0.6mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 274
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 274kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 49mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 307mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 290mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 290IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 18mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.