Name: Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups chopped cooked chicken; 1 cup chopped scallions (green and white ends); ¾ cup sliced celery; ¾ cup dried cranberries; ½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans); 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill; 1 teaspoon orange zest; 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise; Salt and pepper to taste

There’s just something about a vibrant, colorful salad that makes your day better—and this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe truly sings with fresh flavors and textures. It’s creamy, crunchy, and bursts with a hint of sweetness that keeps you coming back for more.

A sandwich with two slices of light brown bread, one slice on top slightly tilted, placed on a white plate with green stripes, on a white marbled surface. Inside the sandwich, there is a fresh green lettuce leaf at the bottom, topped with a chunky mixture of creamy white chicken salad with visible small pieces of celery, dark red dried cranberries, and flecks of green herbs. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with more of the chicken salad, and a striped cloth with green, yellow, and red colors. 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 adore this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe because it’s a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy with an unexpected zing from the orange zest. It’s one of those dishes that’s effortlessly sophisticated but simple enough for a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing potluck.

Bright Flavor Combination: The mix of tart cranberries and fresh dill brightens up traditional chicken salad tastes beautifully.
Wonderful Texture Contrast: Crunchy walnuts and celery add a satisfying bite to every spoonful.
Super Versatile: Use it for sandwiches, wraps, or piled on greens for a hearty salad.
Great Make-Ahead Dish: It’s perfect for prepping ahead, which helps busy days feel a little easier.

The image shows a sandwich on a white plate with green stripes. The sandwich has two slices of soft light brown bread, with a thick layer of chicken salad in between. The chicken salad is creamy white with dark red dried cranberries and small green herbs mixed in, and a fresh bright green lettuce leaf is placed under the chicken salad. In the background, there is a white bowl with a black rim that holds more of the chicken salad. A colorful yellow, green, and red striped cloth is nearby, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe plays a special role—whether it’s for texture, flavor, or that irresistible aroma. I always like to pick brightly colored cranberries and crunchy, fresh celery. Using fresh dill makes all the difference, giving it a garden-fresh twist you'll notice right away.

Flat lay of chopped cooked chicken pieces, a small bunch of fresh scallions with green and white ends, sliced celery sticks, a small pile of dried cranberries, roughly chopped walnuts, a few sprigs of fresh dill, a thin strip of bright orange zest, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy mayonnaise, and a small white bowl containing coarse salt and whole black peppercorns, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: Using leftover or rotisserie chicken works best; it’s tender and keeps the salad juicy without extra fuss.
Chopped scallions: Adds a mild onion flavor with just enough bite and a pretty pop of green.
Sliced celery: Brings essential crunch that balances the creamy mayo.
Dried cranberries: A burst of tart sweetness that pairs incredibly well with nuts and chicken.
Chopped walnuts (or pecans): Choose fresh, toasted if you want extra aroma—nuts add a rich, earthy crunch.
Fresh chopped dill: It’s the herb that wakes everything up, giving the salad a bright herbal note.
Orange zest: The secret superstar ingredient—it adds subtle citrus brightness that lifts the whole dish.
Mayonnaise: Provides that creamy, binding texture. Use your favorite brand or homemade.
Salt and pepper: To taste, enhancing all the flavors without overpowering.

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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 best things about this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe is how flexible it is. I like to switch up the nuts sometimes or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up even more. Play around until you find your happy version!

Nut variety: I’ve had success swapping walnuts for pecans or almonds when I’m out, each gives a slightly different crunch and flavor I really enjoy.
Mayo alternatives: For a lighter option, try Greek yogurt or half mayo and half yogurt—it keeps it creamy but tangy.
Herbs: Occasionally, I add a bit of fresh tarragon or parsley if dill isn’t in the fridge; it’s a delicious twist.
Sweetness: If you want more tartness, toss in some chopped fresh apple or pear for a seasonal, juicy crunch.

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

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by making sure your chicken is chopped into bite-sized pieces—it’s the star, so chunk it up generously. Also, prep your scallions, celery, walnuts, dill, and zest the orange before mixing anything. Having everything ready helps the assembly go so smoothly!

Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients

In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, scallions, celery, cranberries, walnuts, fresh dill, and orange zest. Mix gently but thoroughly to distribute that fresh dill and zest evenly—you want every bite to have that fresh zing instead of little clumps.

Step 3: Add Mayonnaise and Seasonings

Next, dollop in your mayonnaise and stir everything until it’s nicely coated, creamy but not drowning in mayo. Then, taste it! Add salt and pepper little by little—you can always add more but can’t take it away, so be cautious and adjust to your preference.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours. This chilling step really helps all those flavors meld together beautifully. When you’re ready, give it one last stir before serving.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make the Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe even better and easier. Here are my favorite tips to help you nail it every time!

Use Day-Old Chicken: Leftover chicken from your last dinner is perfect here—it’s easier to chop and absorbs flavors well.
Toast Your Nuts: Lightly toasting walnuts brings out their nuttiness and adds warmth to the salad.
Zest Before Juicing: If you’re going to add fresh orange zest, zest the orange before you juice it to avoid losing that flavorful peel.
Adjust Creaminess Gradually: Start with less mayonnaise and add more if needed, so you don’t soak the salad.

How to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe

cranberry chicken salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My go-to garnish is a sprinkle of extra chopped dill or some fresh thyme sprigs to echo the herbal brightness. Sometimes I add a few extra whole walnuts on top for a fancy finish and crunch bonus.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this salad with simple, crunchy sides like kettle-cooked chips or fresh veggie sticks. It’s also fantastic alongside a light fruit salad or crisp green salad with a citrus vinaigrette for a balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I serve the salad scooped on butter lettuce cups or stuffed into hollowed avocado halves for a chic look. It also makes colorful, tasty pinwheel wraps that always impress at parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cranberry chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh and flavorful for 3 to 4 days—perfect for quick weekday lunches or an easy snack.

Freezing

While I haven’t personally frozen this salad often because the mayo can separate, if you want to freeze it, try freezing just the chicken and nuts without mayo, then mix it fresh when thawed for better texture.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t usually necessary. If you prefer it a bit warmer, remove from the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, making it a few hours ahead or even the day before helps all the flavors meld beautifully. Just keep it refrigerated and covered until serving.

What can I use if I don’t have walnuts?

Pecans are a fantastic substitute, offering a similar sweet, nutty crunch. You could also try almonds or even sunflower seeds if you want a nut-free option.

How can I make this recipe lighter?

Swap out mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or use a blend of both for a creamy but lighter version. Also, adding extra celery and herbs can increase volume without extra calories.

What’s the best way to serve this chicken salad?

It’s delicious piled high on fresh bread for sandwiches, wrapped in tortillas, or served over a bed of mixed greens. It’s versatile and works great as a snack or full meal.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate every time I make it. The flavors and textures are so rewarding—whether it’s for a weekday lunch, casual get-together, or a picnic treat. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and find it becomes a new go-to in your recipe rotation!