Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

With just 5 minutes of preparation time, this easy cranberry chicken salad is a delicious side dish for the holiday season or any special occasion. Eat this salad on its own or make chicken salad sandwiches! Gluten-free and dairy-free too.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Email *

Save This!

Delicious Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries

Classic chicken salad is the sort of side that is always welcome, and today, we’re making a version with cranberries.

Creamy chicken salad with fresh crunchy celery bits, sweetened with dried cranberries – this salad is simply mouth-watering!

This salad is perfect for the festive season, but honestly, you can enjoy this salad all year round either on its own, or in chicken salad sandwiches or as lettuce wraps (great for summer potlucks)!

(TIP: Using store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this recipe even more convenient.)

Why You’ll Love this Salad:

• Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making this cranberry chicken salad are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Very Easy to Make: All we need is just 5 minutes of prep time to toss this salad together, and then let chill until ready!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this easy chicken salad with dried cranberries is 100% gluten-free & dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this chicken cranberry salad recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Chicken: You can either cook skinless chicken breasts and shred it for this recipe, or use leftover roast chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. Just make sure to shred the cooked chicken finely before mixing it with the other ingredients in this chicken salad.
• Pine Nuts: I used pine nuts to add a nice crunchy contrast to the creaminess of this dried cranberry chicken salad. Alternatively, you may use equal quantities of crunchy walnuts or crunchy pecans instead.
• Cranberries: Make sure to use dried cranberries (NOT fresh cranberries) for sweetness. Alternatively, you may also use raisins or dried blueberries if you prefer.
• Celery: For best results, dice the celery into small pieces so you don’t get huge chunks of it.
• Mustard: I used Dijon mustard, but you can also use honey mustard or yellow mustard if you prefer.
• Mayonnaise: Feel free to use whichever mayonnaise you have on hand. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use sour cream or Greek yogurt instead.
• Storing: If there are any leftovers, place the chicken cranberry salad in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

2. Prepare Salad Dressing

Mix the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl until well combined.

3. Add Dressing to Ingredients

Pour the salad dressing into the bowl with the salad ingredients, then top with salt and ground black pepper.

4. Mix well

Mix everything thoroughly, then chill the salad in the refrigerator for half an hour.

5. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the chicken cranberry salad with fresh herbs and serve.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• No Cranberries? If you don’t have access to dried cranberries, you may also use raisins or dried blueberries if you prefer.
• Optional Seasonings: I used just salt and pepper to flavor this salad, but feel free to add in other condiments such as onion powder or garlic powder if you like.
• Prep Ahead: You can always prepare this cranberry chicken salad ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before serving.

Other Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love:

• 20-Minute Cranberry Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Homemade Cranberry Juice (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cranberry Orange Scones (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Cranberry Orange Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Cranberry Bliss Bars (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Cranberry Bread Pudding (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Other Chicken Recipes to Make:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

Print

Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

With just 5 minutes of preparation time, this easy cranberry chicken salad is a delicious side dish for the holiday season or any special occasion. Eat this salad on its own or make chicken salad sandwiches! Gluten-free and dairy-free too.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 4 tablespoons dried cranberries
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 teaspoon pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine Chicken, Nuts, Cranberries & Celery: Place the cooked chicken, pine nuts, dried cranberries and chopped celery in a deep bowl.
2. Prepare Salad Dressing: Mix the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl until well combined.
3. Add Dressing to Ingredients: Pour the salad dressing into the bowl with the salad ingredients, then top with salt and pepper.
4. Mix Well: Mix everything thoroughly, then chill the salad in the refrigerator for half an hour.
5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chicken cranberry salad with fresh herbs and serve.

Notes

Chicken: You can either cook your own chicken and shred it, or use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. Just make sure to shred the cooked chicken finely before mixing it with the other ingredients in this chicken salad.

Pine Nuts: I used pine nuts to add a nice crunchy contrast to the creaminess of this dried cranberry chicken salad. Alternatively, you may use equal quantities of walnuts or pecans instead.

Cranberries: Make sure to use dried cranberries (NOT fresh cranberries). Alternatively, you may also use raisins or dried blueberries if you prefer.

Celery: For best results, dice the celery into small pieces so you don’t get huge chunks of it.

Mustard: I used Dijon mustard, but you can also use honey mustard or yellow mustard if you prefer.

Mayonnaise: Feel free to use whichever mayonnaise you have on hand.

Storing: If there are any leftovers, place the chicken cranberry salad in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Chilling Time: 30 mins
• Category: Salads
• Cuisine: American