This Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts recipe is a simple, light lunch idea that’s perfect for hot summer days!
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.
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.
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
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.
Disclaimer: Financial compensation was not received for this post. A sample product was gifted from The Cranberry Institute. Opinions expressed here are my own.
This Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.
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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 :)