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    Ingredients » Recipes » Chicken

    Cranberry Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Sep 20, 2016 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Cranberry Apple Walnut Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy and slightly sweet. Plus, there's a secret ingredient that makes it perfect for fall!

    Jump to Recipe -

    cranberry-apple-walnut-chicken-salad-recipe

    This post was sponsored by Tradewinds Slow-Brewed Iced Tea as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

    One of my favorite things to make from leftover chicken is chicken salad. I either plan ahead and cook extra chicken to set aside, or I just go out and buy a rotisserie chicken. Usually, I make Lemon Chicken Apple Salad , which is always a hit with the family. Even the kids like this one! My daughter actually requested this for dinner the other night, but since it's almost fall, I thought I would put a seasonal spin on our usual chicken salad recipe.

    I started out with some baked chicken tenders that I had saved from the previous night's dinner. I should say that I don't always plan ahead, but let me tell you, it's a huge timesaver! In fact, I need to make a mental note to do this more often!

    Anyway, this salad is super easy to make. I just added some dried cranberries, green apples and chopped walnuts to the cubes of chicken. Then, I mixed in some spices, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and sour cream.

    This dressing is a little lighter than the usual plain mayo, but it's not as light as our favorite homemade ranch. It's somewhere in between the two, and it's got a bit of a tang, which is perfect. My little guy loves mustard, so I add it to many of the creamy salads we have.

     

    cranberry-apple-walnut-chicken-salad-bowl

    I know it's almost fall, but the weather is still warm here, so this salad is perfect for a light dinner. And to go with it, I poured myself a big old glass of Tradewinds Slow Brewed Iced Tea. I've been sipping on this tea all summer long, and there's no reason to stop now. Actually, here in Phoenix, we pretty much drink tea year round.

    Tradewinds Tea is made from real tea leaves, and it's slow brewed for extra flavor. You can find it comes in a variety of flavors, but the Unsweet is definitely my favorite. It tastes great straight from the container, but I like to add a fresh lemon slice or two. It reminds me of sun tea, but you can enjoy it long after summer is over!

    tradewinds-tea-cranberry-apple-walnut-chicken-salad

    Plus, iced tea is the perfect complement to chicken salad, especially this one. It's crunchy, creamy, tangy and just slightly sweet. Oh, and remember the secret ingredient I mentioned? It's cinnamon! Actually, it's not really meant to be kept a secret, but the Hubs really, really does not like cinnamon. Really.

    Why, I don't know, but let me tell you, apples and cinnamon go so well together. And it totally works in this salad. So, it'll be our secret -- K?

    cranberry-apple-walnut-chicken-salad-sandwiches-tea

    How to Make Cranberry Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

    cranberry-apple-walnut-chicken-salad-recipe

    Cranberry Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

    Published by Dee
    Chicken salad with dried cranberries, apples and walnuts
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 to 10 servings
    Calories 258 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups cooked chicken cubed
    • 2 cups diced apples about 2 medium
    • 1 cup dried cranberries
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ½ cup mayonnaise

    Instructions
     

    • Add the chicken and apples to a large bowl, and drizzle with lemon juice
    • Add the dried cranberries, cinnamon, salt, pepper and walnuts
    • Stir in the mustard, sour cream and mayo, and mix until well combined
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 13gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 292mgPotassium: 146mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    cranberry-apple-walnut-chicken-salad

    Even with the extra ingredient, my family just loved this cranberry apple walnut chicken salad. I served it with some fresh spinach leaves on little slider buns, and it was a wonderful quick and easy dinner -- my favorite kind!  

    And for the perfect beverage to serve along with the salad, here's where you can find Tradewinds Slow Brewed Iced Tea.

    Have a delicious day, friends!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura Livingston says

      April 11, 2019 at 9:53 am

      Looks great! Question: If you wanted to lighten it up, what would you suggest in lieu of sour cream and mayo?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 11, 2019 at 10:16 am

        I did a lightened up version with yogurt in this cranberry apple chicken salad wraps. 🙂

    2. Marie says

      September 26, 2016 at 7:24 am

      I'm seriously in love with all of the colors in your chicken salad. I know that it doesn't have to be pretty to taste good but it is an awesome bonus when it does both!

      Reply
    3. Miz Helen says

      September 23, 2016 at 8:01 am

      Your photo of that Cranberry Apple Walnut Chicken Salad makes me want to reach through the screen for that sandwich. Thanks so much for sharing with us today at Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    4. Michelle says

      September 22, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      Yes please ????
      Sounds terrific!
      Thanks
      Michelle

      Reply
    5. Michelle | A Latte Food says

      September 21, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      I could eat chicken salad everyday! This looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 22, 2016 at 6:30 am

        Thanks, Michelle! I could probably eat it everyday, too. 🙂

    6. Cathy Trochelman says

      September 21, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      I could live on chicken salad! Love the additions to this recipe!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 22, 2016 at 6:29 am

        Thanks so much! I've made this twice already, and it goes fast!

    7. Cookin Canuck says

      September 21, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      I am always a sucker for a great chicken salad, and I love the crunch of apples and walnuts in your version.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 22, 2016 at 6:28 am

        Thanks! Even the kids liked the walnuts in here. 🙂

    8. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

      September 21, 2016 at 10:44 am

      It's been such a long time since I've made Chicken salad! This one looks perfect!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 21, 2016 at 11:16 am

        Thanks, Angie. My family just loved it. 🙂

    9. Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says

      September 20, 2016 at 4:49 pm

      I love a chicken salad with lots of yummy add-ins like this! And I like that iced tea, too.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 21, 2016 at 11:15 am

        I pretty much drink this tea all day long! 🙂

    10. Maryanne | the little epicurean says

      September 20, 2016 at 9:41 am

      Love the addition of cranberries, apples, and walnuts. This would be a great autumn lunch! 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 21, 2016 at 11:14 am

        Thanks, Maryanne. It really is a great salad for fall. 🙂

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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