Fitness / September 2, 2024

Pecan Chicken Salad

Creamy, crunchy and oh-so-tasty. This Pecan Chicken Salad will become a staple in no time.

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This pecan chicken salad recipe reminds me of Trader Joe’s white meat chicken salad. It’s almost a copycat recipe really, and is SO good. This salad makes for such an easy lunch, it pairs great with crackers or goes well in a whole-wheat tortilla wrap. You could also use it as a dip or filling in a sandwich, or top a bed of greens with it.

This recipe is praised for being quick and filled with tons of great flavor. It combines juicy chicken, celery, onion, and toasted pecans. Simple, straightforward, and crazy delicious. And if you really want to go the extra mile serve it with homemade crackers. Try these Homemade Ritz Crackers, Gluten-Free and Vegan Crackers, or these Almond-Flour Crackers that come together in just 30 minutes!

Is Pecan Chicken Salad Healthy?

This salad is nutritious and clean thanks to the ingredients that mix together all too perfectly. The bits of chicken are a great source of protein, and you get in some healthy fats from the pecans. Next is the creamy dressing, made from scratch and free from preservatives. If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can always replace that with additional yogurt or a splash of olive oil. Greek yogurt is a probiotic, and is great for your digestive system and one of my favorite ingredients for salad dressings. Finally, there’s the lemon juice, which contains vitamin C, known to support collagen formation. This is key for great skin health and is the new craze these days!

Have fun with it, and switch it up!

There are so many creative variations for this dish. My favorite is to mix in cranberries – the deep red pops against the white, creamy dressing and makes for a beautiful spread. You could also add green apple slices for a sweet, crisp crunch.

Another burst of color can come from red grapes. Cut them in half and mix them in for a delicious and fruity spin. Or season your chicken with curry and add a splash of turmeric and cumin to your sauce and just like that, you have a curry pecan chicken salad. (If you decide to go the curry route, just hold on the Dijon!)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Mix chicken, pecans, celery, and onion in a bowl.

Dress

Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice; add to chicken.

Chill

Toss salad, season, and refrigerate to blend flavors.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

To make this recipe ahead, prep the chicken and dressing separately then store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, mix together and enjoy. Once assembled, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator however, I wouldn’t go past a day or two or else it will be too soggy.

Toasted & glazed Pecans for days

If you want to kick it up a notch, coat your nuts in a glaze with coconut oil, cinnamon and honey or maple syrup. Then roast and toast away and you will thank me later. Oh and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt. I like to make a big batch of toasted and glazed nuts to keep on hand for garnishing salads and such. Toasting nuts adds a richer, nuttier flavor.

Chill Time – an important time

Once you are done mixing everything together, allow the salad to chill overnight in the refrigerator (if you can’t overnight, at least for 30 minutes), giving the flavors a chance to meld together. This salad tastes best chilled, trust me on this. No need to heat this dish up.

Serving Suggestions

This salad can be served on toasted croissants or in lettuce cups of your choice. Pair with crackers or eat all on its own.

For additional salad inspiration, take a peek at this zesty and mighty green Cucumber Avocado Salad or this Vegan Broccoli Salad that is crunchy and creamy without compromise. Then there is this vibrant orange shredded Carrot Salad. I am a salad girl all the way. And I firmly believe the secret to some of the best salad recipes is all in the sauce. Take a peek at this zesty and bright, Carrot Ginger Dressing or this Green Goddess Dressing loaded with avocado, fresh herbs, and just the right amount of lemon juice.

Pecan Chicken Salad

Creamy, crunchy and oh so tasty. This Pecan Chicken Salad will become a staple in no time.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 0

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 320kcal

Author Vendela Raquel

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken chopped
1/2 cup pecans toasted and chopped
2 stalks celery finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion minced
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, toasted pecans, chopped celery, and minced red onion.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.