There’s something so delightful about the blend of sweet cranberries and crunchy walnuts in a creamy chicken salad. This Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe strikes the perfect balance between savory and sweet, making it a standout at any lunch or gathering.

A thick sandwich sits on a white plate with green stripes, resting on a white marbled surface. The sandwich has three layers: the bottom layer is a slice of soft light brown bread, topped with fresh green lettuce leaves that curve up at the edges. The middle layer is a chunky salad made from creamy white dressing mixed with white meat pieces, small green celery bits, dark red dried cranberries, and sprinkled with small green herb pieces for freshness. The top layer is another slice of light brown bread placed slightly open, showing the filling inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe has saved me when I needed something quick but impressive. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and so versatile—it’s truly a recipe I keep coming back to.

Perfect flavor balance: The tartness of dried cranberries pairs beautifully with crunchy walnuts and creamy mayo, creating a taste that just works.
Great use of leftovers: It’s a fantastic way to transform cooked chicken into a fresh, exciting dish instead of just reheating it.
Quick to prepare: You can have this salad ready in about 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy days and last-minute meals.
Versatile serving options: Whether in sandwiches, wraps, or atop greens, this salad adapts perfectly to your mealtime mood.

A sandwich on a green plate with light stripes, showing two slices of soft, light brown bread with the top slice slightly tilted. Inside, there is a thick layer of creamy chicken salad mixed with visible small green herbs, pieces of celery, and dark red dried cranberries, all sitting on a fresh, bright green leaf of lettuce. Above and to the side, a white bowl with a black rim holds more of the creamy chicken salad, showing its chunky texture and mix of ingredients. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a colorful striped cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe really shines because of its simple yet fresh ingredients—each one adds its own unique texture and flavor, making every bite interesting. Let me share why I love these components and a few tips on shopping.

Flat lay of chopped cooked chicken breast pieces, a bunch of fresh scallions showing both green and white ends, crisp celery stalks sliced, a small mound of dried cranberries, a heap of chopped walnuts, fresh sprigs of dill, a thin strip of bright orange zest, a small white bowl filled with creamy mayonnaise, and a small white bowl containing coarse sea salt alongside another with freshly ground black pepper, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chopped cooked chicken: I usually use leftover roasted or poached chicken for the best moistness and flavor.
Chopped scallions: Both green and white parts add a mild onion flavor without overpowering the salad.
Sliced celery: This brings a crisp crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy mayo.
Dried cranberries: I prefer sweetened ones; they add a burst of tartness that livens up the whole dish.
Chopped walnuts (or pecans): Toast them lightly for an extra depth of flavor and crunch.
Fresh chopped dill: Don’t skip this—it adds a fresh, slightly tangy note that brightens the salad.
Orange zest: A little zing that gives this salad a subtle citrus lift, making it really special.
Mayonnaise: Use your favorite—regular or light mayo both work, but the full-fat version gives the creamiest texture.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning to tie everything together and let the natural flavors shine.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of the Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I love to play around with it based on what’s in my fridge or what I’m in the mood for—don’t be afraid to do the same!

Variation: Sometimes I swap walnuts for pecans or almonds depending on what nuts I have. Each gives a slightly different texture and flavor that’s equally delicious.
Dietary tweaks: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter version, or add a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy twist.
Seasonal flavors: During autumn, a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can elevate the cranberry flavor even more—trust me on this one!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

I always start by making sure my chicken is well chopped—bite-size pieces work best to get a good mix of flavors in every bite. Next, chop the scallions and celery evenly; you want those crunchy and tender bits balanced. Toast the walnuts lightly in a dry pan for 3-5 minutes until fragrant—that extra step is worth it for the flavor!

Step 2: Combine the Base Ingredients

In a large bowl, I toss together the chicken, scallions, celery, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, fresh dill, and orange zest. Give it a good stir so the dill and zest are evenly spread—this avoids any overpowering pockets of flavor later on.

Step 3: Add the Mayonnaise and Season

Next, I gently fold in the mayo. Use a spoon to mix it thoroughly but not too roughly—you want everything coated without smooshing the ingredients. Then, taste and season with salt and pepper. Sometimes it needs a touch more salt to bring out all those flavors, so don’t skip tasting here.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

The salad benefits from resting in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. It lets the flavors meld and the salad chill nicely. After that, it’s ready to scoop onto sandwiches, wraps, or salads—or to enjoy straight from the bowl, no judgment here!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that a few small tweaks really elevate this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe, making it taste like it came from a fancy deli rather than your kitchen.

Lightly Toast Nuts: Toasting the walnuts before mixing enhances their nuttiness and adds satisfying crunch.
Fresh Dill Matters: Don’t substitute dried dill here; the fresh herb adds brightness that dried simply can’t match.
Orange Zest for Zing: Fresh orange zest wakes up the salad with citrusy aroma—don’t skip this small but mighty ingredient.
Don’t Overmix: When folding in mayo, go gently to maintain the distinct textures of all the components.

How to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe

cranberry chicken salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with a few extra chopped walnuts or thin slices of scallions right before serving—it adds a fresh look and a little more texture. Sometimes a sprig of dill gives that beautiful final touch that makes it feel special.

Side Dishes

It's wonderful alongside crunchy green salads or paired with fresh fruit like apple slices or grapes. For a heartier meal, serve with whole grain crackers or toasted baguette slices—great for scooping up every bite!

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served this cranberry chicken salad in hollowed avocado halves or inside crisp lettuce cups—both instantly elevate presentation and add novel textures. It’s also great as a filling for mini puff pastry cups for a fun appetizer twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers tightly covered in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. It stays fresh for about 3 days, which is perfect if you want to pack it for lunch the next day.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing this salad because mayonnaise-based dishes can separate and lose their texture once defrosted. You’re better off making a fresh batch or enjoying leftovers cold within a few days.

Reheating

This salad shines best cold or at room temperature, so I avoid reheating it. If you want warm chicken salad, try warming the chicken separately and mixing it in with ranch or a warm dressing instead of mayo.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries are quite tart and watery compared to dried ones, which provide sweetness and chewiness. If using fresh, I recommend cooking them down with a bit of sugar first to soften and sweeten them for better texture and flavor balance.

What’s a good substitute if I don’t like walnuts?

Pecans or almonds make excellent substitutes for walnuts in this salad. Toast them lightly first to bring out their flavor. If you need a nut-free option, seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds can add crunch without the allergen concern.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cranberry chicken salad actually benefits from chilling for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld nicely. You can prepare it up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated until serving.

Is there a lighter version of this salad?

Yes! Swap out some or all of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to reduce fat and add a subtle tang. Just keep in mind the flavor will be a bit different, but still tasty and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe is one of those dishes that’s simple yet special. I love how it brings together textures and flavors that delight the taste buds every single time. Give it a try—you’ll find it becomes a staple in your kitchen like it did in mine. Trust me, sharing it with friends always gets rave reviews and happy requests for seconds!