Chicken Cranberry Salad
This is the bowl I make when I want chicken on a salad and I do not want a creamy dressing. Greens go down first, then sliced chicken, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. Sesame seeds and a thread of olive oil finish it, which is the pour in the photo. Lemon in the dressing keeps the cranberries from tasting only sweet.
The chicken can be leftover or a quick sear. Slice it against the grain so it stays tender on the fork. Almonds should be toasted. Raw ones taste flat next to the cranberry. A little celery or cucumber adds the crunch the greens alone do not have. Dress it just before you eat. Sitting dressed, the leaves wilt and the almonds soften.
It feeds two as a meal and four as a side. Pack the chicken and the dressing separate if it is lunch for tomorrow. The cranberries and almonds can travel with either.
Why You'll Love This
- Ready in 20 minutes.
- Looks like the photo: chicken, cranberry, almond, oil on top.
- No mayo.
- Works with leftover chicken.
Anti-Inflammatory & Mediterranean Recipes
Chicken Cranberry Salad
- Prep10 min
- Cook10 min
- Total20 min
- Servings2 servings
- Calories480 kcal
Ingredients
- Salad
- Dressing
Instructions
- If the chicken is raw, season it and sear 5 to 6 minutes a side, until cooked through. Rest 3 minutes, then slice.
- Stir the dressing: olive oil, lemon juice, honey if you are using it, salt, and pepper.
- Put the greens and celery in a wide bowl. Add the chicken, cranberries, and almonds.
- Drizzle the dressing over the top. Finish with sesame seeds. Toss once, lightly, or leave it composed the way the photo is.
- Serve right away.
Notes & Tips
- Slice the chicken against the grain. With the grain, it shreds into strings.
- Toast the almonds in a dry pan for 3 minutes. It changes the bowl.
- Oil last, in a thin pour. Stirred through, you lose the shine in the photo.
- Do not dress it early. Greens collapse and almonds go soft.
- Nutrition: Per serving (half the bowl). Estimate, with honey.
- Nutrition: Net carbohydrates: 19g
- Nutrition: WW estimate: 10 points on the current plan (oil, almonds, and cranberries carry the points; chicken and greens are the light part)
- Fridge: 1 day if you keep the dressing and almonds separate. Dressed, the greens wilt by evening.
- Do not freeze the salad. Freeze cooked chicken if you have extra, then slice it cold.
- Nutrition is an estimate from chicken, greens, cranberries, almonds, olive oil, and a teaspoon of honey.
- ## The Secret to This Bowl
- Toast the almonds and salt the chicken. Those two things do more than the dressing. A raw almond and an under-seasoned chicken make the cranberries taste like the whole salad. A 3-minute toast in a dry pan and a real pinch of salt on the meat are what make the spoonful taste finished.
Variations & serving ideas
- No almonds: use toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds.
- No cranberries: chopped dried apricot, or skip the dried fruit.
- No honey: skip it. The cranberries are sweet enough.
- Higher protein: add another 4 oz chicken, or a spoon of chickpeas.
- No sesame: black pepper on top is enough.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · makes 2 servings
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Total fat | 27 g |
| Sodium | 420 mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 24 g |
| Fibre | 5 g |
| Protein | 36 g |
Nutrition values are approximate and vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What chicken works best?
Breast or thigh. Thigh stays juicier after it is sliced. Leftover roast chicken works if you warm it or slice it thin.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Keep the greens, chicken, cranberries, almonds, and dressing in separate containers. Assemble when you eat it. Dressed, it keeps a few hours, not overnight.
How do I make it heartier?
Add a handful of cooked quinoa or a drained can of chickpeas under the chicken. Or serve it with a slice of toasted flatbread.
More questions about this recipe
How long does it take to make Chicken Cranberry Salad?
About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking.
What ingredients do I need for Chicken Cranberry Salad?
The key ingredients include chicken, cranberries, celery, lemon juice, honey and mixed greens. The recipe card lists every ingredient with exact amounts.
How should I store leftovers?
Fridge: 1 day if you keep the dressing and almonds separate.
How many servings does this recipe make?
It makes 2 servings.
Test your knowledge5 quick questions about this recipe
1 / 5
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!