Description
Succulent cranberry pecan chicken salad dances with zesty poppy seed dressing, creating a symphony of tangy and sweet flavors. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite of this elegant salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
Vegetables and Greens:
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., spinach, arugula, romaine)
Instructions
- Gather and prepare all ingredients, ensuring chicken is cooled and diced into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, combine diced chicken, plump dried cranberries, roughly chopped pecans, finely diced celery, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Gently fold ingredients together, allowing flavors to mingle and distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- For the creamy poppy seed dressing, select a compact mixing bowl and whisk mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, golden honey, crisp apple cider vinegar, delicate poppy seeds, seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
- Vigorously blend dressing ingredients until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with no visible lumps.
- Arrange a bed of fresh, crisp mixed salad greens across serving plates or shallow bowls.
- Generously spoon the chicken and cranberry mixture atop the greens, creating an appetizing and colorful presentation.
- Immediately before serving, cascade the poppy seed dressing over the salad, allowing it to gracefully coat the ingredients.
- Optional: Delicately toss the salad to integrate dressing, or present dressing separately for individual preference.
- Serve chilled for optimal flavor and texture enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond yogurt for a vegan-friendly version of the salad.
- Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
- Reduce mayonnaise and increase Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier dressing that still maintains a creamy texture.
- Prep chicken in advance by poaching or grilling to save time and ensure consistent, juicy meat throughout the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg