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Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts

This Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts recipe is a simple, light lunch idea that’s perfect for hot summer days!

chicken salad with dried cranberries

It finally feels like summer in Michigan and boy is it hot hot hot!

Not that I’m complaining because 90 degrees is just fine compared to sub-zero temperatures that will be here before we know it.

And this summer is so much fun with E now being able to walk and run around with his older brother and sister.  Simple and cheap entertainment like a sprinkler goes a long way on hot summer days.  

With that said, I want to spend more time enjoying the weather and less time cooking.  

And obviously, on hot and humid days like today, I avoid turning on my oven as much as possible. So I try focusing on making meals that are chilled, NOT cooked.  

If you have precooked chicken handy, this recipe comes together in 15 minutes.  And as you can see I love the pairing of croissants and chicken salad, they just go well together.  

But of course, you could eat this chicken salad with whole wheat bread, crackers, or by itself.  

chicken salad with dried cranberries

Dietitian’s Dish

Dried fruit, such as dried cranberries, can easily be added to dishes for extra sweetness and nutrition.  And you only need to eat a 1/4 cup of dried cranberries to equal one fruit serving.  

Also being so portable, dried cranberries are an easy grab-and-go snack to bring with you just about anywhere.  

And in case you’re wondering why dried cranberries have sugar added to them, it’s because cranberry products are naturally low in sugar and high in acidity, so they need sugar to be added for taste.  

chicken salad with dried cranberries

This is the case for other dried fruits as well like raisins or dried cherries.

This chicken salad is also lighter on calories than your typical chicken salad since it’s made with light mayonnaise.  So whip up this recipe and enjoy the beautiful summertime!

Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts

A simple light and refreshing chicken salad that’s perfect for lunch!
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicked cubed
  • 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 celery ribs diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup walnuts finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon dill weed
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, dill weed, salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken, celery, green onions and dried cranberries to mayonnaise mixture.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and serve over a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Disclaimer: Financial compensation was not received for this post. A sample product was gifted from The Cranberry Institute. Opinions expressed here are my own.

chicken.salad.cranberries.walnuts

This Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.

© 2015 Kristy Hegner  Disclosure and Privacy Policy 

Kay McCollough

Saturday 15th of October 2016

Thanks for the yummy chicken salad recipe! I am taking it to a Halloween church get together this afternoon.

Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition

Thursday 30th of July 2015

YUM! I love adding dried fruit to chicken salad. I usually add cherries but now I'm going to try cranberries!!

Kristy Hegner

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

I'm going to have to try cherries - excellent idea!

allie @ Through Her Looking Glass

Wednesday 29th of July 2015

So delicious Kristy! Love the dried cranberries and dill. Mmmmm.

Kristy Hegner

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

The dried cranberries bring just the right amount of sweetness to the salad, I love it :)

rachel @ Athletic Avocado

Tuesday 28th of July 2015

this looks like a tasty lunch! I need to make this soon :)

Kristy Hegner

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

Thanks Rachel :)

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