Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Topic: Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Table of Contents
Introduction:
Experience the exquisite combination of flavors in our Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. This culinary creation brings together the succulent roasted chicken, the tangy sweetness of dried cranberries, and the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans.
This recipe presents a delightful combination of textures and flavours, resulting in a salad that is both fulfilling and packed with nutritious elements.
Starting, we have these delectable, boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are expertly seasoned and cooked in the oven until they reach the pinnacle of tenderness and flavour. Adding dried cranberries brings a delightful touch of sweetness, while toasted pecans provide a satisfying crunch.
This salad reaches new heights of gourmet excellence with a harmonious blend of ingredients. The refreshing crunch of celery, the vibrant red onion, and a touch of thyme create a symphony of flavours that will delight your taste buds.
Bringing everything together is a delectable dressing that combines the smoothness of mayonnaise with the tang of Dijon mustard, balanced by the gentle sweetness of honey and a hint of apple cider vinegar. As these elements come together, the flavours become more pronounced, resulting in a salad that is both delicious and visually stunning.
Indulge in the delightful flavours of our Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, whether you choose to enjoy it on its own or as a delicious addition to a sandwich. Each bite is a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds fully satisfied.
Top 5 Tips To Make This Recipe More Tastier:
Take your Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad to new heights by incorporating these 5 expert tips to elevate its flavours:
Enhance the Flavor with Marination:
Before roasting, marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. This straightforward technique enhances the flavour of the meat, resulting in a delectable combination of savoury undertones that perfectly complement the cranberries’ sweetness and the pecans’ nuttiness.
Herb-Heavy Dressing:
Add a touch of freshness to the dressing with some finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, or tarragon. The vibrant green herbs bring a touch of freshness and complexity, taking the overall flavour profile to new heights.
A Burst of Citrus Flavor:
Elevate the dressing by incorporating a vibrant touch of citrus zest, like orange or lemon. The addition of citrus notes adds a bright and refreshing contrast, which helps balance the richness of the mayonnaise and enhances the overall vibrancy of the salad.
Aged Balsamic Dipper:
For the finishing touch, add a delicate drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar to the salad just before it’s served. The aged balsamic adds a delightful blend of sweetness and tanginess, perfectly complementing the other flavours and elevating the dish to a gourmet level.
Deliciously sweet and crunchy pecans:
Elevate the pecans by giving them a delightful caramelized coating using a pan and a hint of brown sugar. This creates a sweet, crunchy exterior for the nuts, enhancing the salad’s textural experience with a delightful contrast.
By following these suggestions, your Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad will elevate its flavour profile, bringing a delightful burst of taste to every mouthful.
Things To Keep In Mind While Making This Recipe:
Ensuring Proper Chicken Cooking:
Make sure the chicken is cooked completely, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for both safety and the best flavour.
Preparing Pecans:
Be sure to keep a close eye on the pecans while toasting to avoid any risk of burning. Continuously stir the mixture over medium heat until it turns a beautiful golden colour and releases a delightful aroma.
Consistency of the dressing:
Tweak the dressing’s texture to your liking by incorporating more or less mayo. Adjusting the dressing’s consistency can affect the overall texture.
Creating a Harmonious Blend of Tastes:
Fine-tune the flavour by making slight adjustments to the amounts of honey and Dijon mustard. Striking the perfect balance elevates the overall flavour.
Prepare Ingredients in Advance:
For a truly refreshing and crisp result, it’s best to pre-chill the chicken and other ingredients before assembling the salad. This step also helps the flavours to blend as they chill in the refrigerator.
The Importance of Fresh Herbs:
For the best flavour, it’s always a good idea to use fresh herbs when cooking. Make sure to chop them right before adding them to keep their flavour fresh and vibrant.
Adding a burst of citrus flavour:
When zesting citrus for the dressing, it’s best to steer clear of the bitter white pith and instead concentrate on the delicious outer peel.
Here are some essential tips to create a Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad that is both delicious and perfectly balanced.
Notes:
Preparing Chicken: Ensure the chicken is seasoned to perfection for an extra burst of flavour.
Deliciously crunchy pecans: Pay close attention while toasting to prevent any burning.
Adjustments to the dressing: Adjust the proportions of mayo and honey to achieve your desired texture and level of sweetness.
Checking the temperature: Ensure the chicken is cooked to a temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.
Preparing for Cooling: Ensure ingredients are properly chilled before assembling for a refreshing salad.
The Importance of Fresh Herbs: Opt for freshly chopped herbs to enhance the taste.
Zesting Citrus: Pay attention to the vibrant outer peel when zesting to add a burst of flavour.
Delicious Balsamic Drizzle: Finish off your dish with a touch of aged balsamic right before serving to elevate it to a gourmet level.
These tips guarantee a delicious Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with a perfect blend of flavours and textures.
Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
PrintRecipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salads
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
1 tablespoon of olive oil.
1 teaspoon of dried thyme can be added for extra flavour if desired.
For the Salad:
1 cup of mayonnaise.
1/4 cup mustard mustard Dijon.
2 tablespoons of honey.
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
2 cups of deliciously tender shredded chicken.
1/2 cup of dried cranberries.
1/2 cup of pecans, chopped and toasted to perfection.
Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion.
Finely chop 2 celery stalks.
Consider adding some fresh parsley for garnish, if desired.
Instructions
- Ensure that the oven is preheated to 375°F (190°C).
- Ensure the chicken breasts are perfectly seasoned with a touch of salt, pepper, and dried thyme (if desired).
- Warm up some olive oil in an oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn a delicious golden brown.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Let it cool down before breaking the chicken into small, manageable pieces.
- Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk them together until a smooth dressing forms.
- Incorporate the shredded chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, red onion, and celery into the bowl. Combine all the ingredients until they are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
- Refrigerate the chicken salad for a minimum of 30 minutes to let the flavours blend.
- For an extra touch of flavour, consider adding some fresh parsley as a garnish before serving.
- Enjoy the cranberry pecan chicken salad in various ways – on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or with crackers.
- Indulge in the delectable Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 500-600 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
Keywords: Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Greek Yogurt Recipe
PrintRecipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Greek Yogurt Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15+ 30 mins cool time
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salads
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Salad:
3 cups of deliciously diced cooked chicken.
1 cup celery, diced.
1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans.
1/2 cup of dried cranberries.
1/2 cup of finely chopped red onion.
Dressing:
1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt.
1/4 cup of mayonnaise.
1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
3 tablespoons of fresh dill.
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
A pinch of salt.
A dash of pepper.
Instructions
Combine the diced chicken, celery, pecans, cranberries, and red onion in a large bowl.
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a smaller bowl.
Drizzle the dressing onto the chicken mixture and gently mix until thoroughly incorporated.
Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes prior to consumption.
Enjoy it wrapped up, tossed in salads, or simply eaten with a fork!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 8.9g
- Sodium: 230.3mg
- Fat: 12.4g
- Carbohydrates: 12.3g
- Protein: 13.5g
- Cholesterol: 40.1mg
Keywords: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Greek Yogurt Recipe, Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
PrintRecipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Drizzle with salt and pepper as per your taste.
1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Consider adding one teaspoon of dried thyme for an extra touch of flavor.
For the Salad:
1 cup mayonnaise.
1/4 cup of Dijon mustard.
2 tablespoons of honey.
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper to suit your liking.
2 cups of tender, succulent shredded chicken.
1/2 cup dried cranberries.
1/2 cup of pecans, chopped and toasted to perfection.
1/4 cup of red onion, finely chopped.
2 celery stalks, finely chopped.
Consider adding fresh parsley as a garnish, if desired.
For the Poppy Seed Dressing:
1/3 cup of olive oil.
3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
2 tablespoons of honey.
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
1 tablespoon of poppy seeds.
Drizzle with salt and pepper to suit your taste.
Instructions
Get ready to cook the chicken:
Add a touch of flavor to the chicken breasts with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
Warm up a bit of olive oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Ensure that the chicken is cooked for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Place in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked. Finely separate the chicken into small pieces.
Prepare the Poppy Seed Dressing:
Combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk together. Put it aside.
Time to whip up a delicious salad:
Combine shredded chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, red onion, and celery in a large bowl.
Prepare the Salad:
Drizzle the Poppy Seed Dressing onto the salad and mix until evenly covered.
Relax and Present:
Chill the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to serving, allowing the flavors to blend.
Feel free to add a touch of fresh parsley as a final touch before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 550-650 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
Keywords: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe, Recipe For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
People Also Ask:
How many calories are in cranberry pecan chicken salad?
The Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad (0.5 cup) has a nutritional profile of 14g total carbs, 13g net carbs, 19g fat, 11g protein, and 270 calories.
How many calories in a pecan chicken salad sandwich?
The Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich contains 840 calories.
Is Cranberry Salad good for you?
Cranberries are a healthy choice! They contain phytochemicals, which may help lower your risk for many types of cancer.
What is cranberry salad made of?
Delicious cranberries, a zesty orange, and crisp celery. A cup of white sugar adds a touch of sweetness to this cranberry Jell-O salad. Walnuts provide a delightful nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. A drained can of crushed pineapple adds a delightful touch of sweet, fruity flavor.
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