Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Kymberley
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Whether you’re a meticulous meal-prepper or someone who often finds lunch as an afterthought, this Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts is a convenient game-changer. I enjoy preparing a batch early in the week, knowing it’s ready for fuss-free lunches (or dinners) the next day. It’s a dish the whole family can savor without any hassle.
The idea for this combination of rotisserie chicken, cranberries, and walnuts was a luncheon favorite from a local area coffee, soup, and sandwich shop that sadly is no longer in business. Before it closed, the owner shared her secret for making the bright-tasting creamy-rich dressing with me. I will forever be thankful for that because the dressing is the necessary component in the salad, making this recipe a healthier choice and super delicious!
ABOUT THIS RECIPE (per serving)
More salad, please!
With its classic taste, texture, and flavor combination of savory chicken, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this chicken salad is a delightful surprise. The dressing, made with Greek yogurt, a touch of mayonnaise, honey for sweetness, and Dijon mustard for tang, adds a unique twist to the traditional recipe. This recipe reduces the saturated fat and enhances the overall flavor profile, leaving you wanting more.
Moreover, this recipe uses simple ingredients and everyday pantry staples, making it a versatile option for brunch, parties, or everyday lunches. Whether you prefer it as a sandwich, a salad, or in lettuce wraps, this healthy chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts is a delicious and nutritious choice that you’ll be excited to savor time after time!
Scroll to the recipe card below to print, email, or save to your favorites.
Please let me know in the comments below if you have questions or if you tweak the recipe. I’d love to hear from you!
Live Fully Nourished @GfreeDeliciously
Delicious, Gluten-Free, and Healthy Meet!
I promise not to spam you. Pinkie swear!
But before you grab your apron…
For more detailed insights and exclusive content, I invite you to subscribe to our eNews. By doing so, you’ll get the extended version of this post and a 3-ring binder-formatted recipe page, perfect for creating your cookbook of favorites. Your support through a paid subscription is greatly appreciated and helps me continue to develop and share more recipes like this one.
In the email version, you'll get...
- A bit more about the recipe ingredients
- My easy steps for how to cook chicken for chicken salad
- Recipe Facts and Troubleshooting
- The answer to whether chicken salad is “really” healthy
- Advantages of adding fruits and nuts
- The key factors to consider before freezing chicken salad
- How to make sure chicken salad isn’t watery
Of course, you can always access all my recipes’ full email posts in the Substack archives. But if you’re more of a “Just the Facts, Ma’am” type of person, please scroll down to the digital recipe card below for the chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts recipe.
🤩Hey, This looks delicious! 😋Such a simple, flavorful gluten-free dish. 🍴Definitely will be adding this recipe to my meal rotation! 🥣🌟 #glutenfree #recipe #CookingGfreeDeliciously
💭 Final thoughts...
Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts is a perfect dish that harmoniously balances flavor, nutrition, and convenience. With its combination of tender chicken, sweet tartness from the cranberries, and a satisfying crunch from the walnuts, this salad delights the palate and offers a wholesome and healthy meal option. Whether preparing a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a refreshing appetizer for gatherings, it’s versatile enough to fit any occasion.
Moreover, the simplicity of its preparation—requiring minimal cooking skills and readily available ingredients—makes it accessible for everyone, from busy parents to new cooks. You can customize the salad without much trouble to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs by adding extra veggies, substituting nuts, or even incorporating different proteins, ensuring it remains a staple in your meal rotation.
Adding this chicken salad to your diet results in a flavorful meal. Thanks to the lean protein from the chicken, the antioxidants found in cranberries, and the healthy fats in walnuts, it offers health benefits. It’s ideal for those wanting to maintain a balanced diet and eat healthy without compromising flavor.
Finally, I encourage you to experiment with this recipe and make it your own—perhaps by adding other fruits, using different dressings, or serving it over a bed of greens. The possibilities are endless, and with just a few tweaks, you can create a signature dish that reflects your unique culinary style. Embrace the ease of preparation and the delightful combination of ingredients in this Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts, and enjoy the delicious journey it offers to your dining table.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy time eating!
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below to print, email, or save it.
Looking for more easy chicken recipes? Here are a few more you might like…
You might want to try these salad related recipes too!
P.S. If you create a delicious twist on this recipe, or if you have a question or comment, please let me know. I’d love to hear!
Leave a comment below, share it, and rate it – it’s super helpful for other readers and us. Just click the blue-green comment bubble on the bottom right of your screen to jump to the comment area below.
Want to scoop up more about our recipes?
Check out the “Live Fully Nourished” Substack, where you’ll get fun extensions of many of our standard blog posts and extras you won’t find anywhere else!
Favorite Gadgets & Tools for making this recipe…
– AFFILIATE LINKS –
#1 - Anchor Hocking Glass Mixing Bowls
#2 - OXO Angled Measuring Cup
#3 - Odd-size Measuring Spoons
#4 - Stainless Steel French Whisk
NO Need to Look for Your Calculator:
Adjusting the serving size of recipes is easier than you may think.
To change the number of portions that a recipe makes go to the “Servings” quantity in the recipe section below. Hover over the servings amount and a slider box will appear above the amount. Slide the toggle to adjust the desired number of portions you want to make. Please note that the ingredient measures will change to decimal equivalents when the serving amount is adjusted.
Need more help with cooking and recipe conversions? Head to the Good Cooking’s Recipe Conversions Guide for their online collection of helpful links!
Easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Nutrition
Method
- Whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, and Dijon mustard in a medium bowl until blended. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt, 1/4 cup gluten-free Mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Honey, 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard, Salt and Pepper to taste
- Add the chicken, celery, dried cranberries, and walnuts to the bowl with the dressing and toss gently to combine.2 cups rotisserie Chicken, 1/2 cup each of Celery, dried Cranberries, and Walnuts, 1/4 cup Red Onion
- Scoop the salad into Pita pockets, onto a croissant, in a wrap, on a bun, between slices of toasted bread with lettuce, or mound onto a bagel or crackers for a deliciously easy and quick lunch. For the healthiest possible version, serve on a bed of romaine lettuce or in Buttercrunch lettuce cups. [2]
(Click to prevent your screen from going dark.)
Kitchen Notes
Allow the Chicken to Cool
If you're cooking the chicken only to make this recipe, allow it to cool thoroughly before mixing it with the other ingredients.Store in the Refrigerator
Once made, you can store this chicken salad covered in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When serving, it's best served cold; it shouldn't sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Consider not freezing, or follow my exclusive tips to ensure it maintains its quality and taste.Personal Notes
Tried this recipe?
Please consider Leaving a Review!This recipe may contain affiliate links. For more information, visit our Affiliate Disclosure.
Recipe Card powered by WP Recipe Maker
(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)
Copyright © 2017-2026 Kymberley Pekrul | GfreeDeliciously | gfreedeliciously.com | All content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. However, copying and/or pasting full recipes on social media is strictly prohibited. Please read my Photo Use Policy for detailed guidelines and further clarification.
RECIPE TAGS:
Share the L♥VE
When you make our recipes, snap a photo, post it, and tag it with #CookingGfreeDeliciously on Instagram. Enjoy, xo!
