Description
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a delightful blend of tender chicken, sweet-tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans. This refreshing salad is the perfect choice for summer picnics or cozy family gatherings, offering vibrant flavors and textures that will leave everyone craving more. Bursting with nutrients, it’s not just a meal; it’s a memorable experience that you’ll want to share!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
- While the chicken is baking, whisk together olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and poppy seeds in a bowl to prepare the dressing.
- Once cooled, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine with cranberries, pecans, and spinach in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the mixture and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For added flavor, sear the chicken before baking or toss in diced apples for extra sweetness. This salad stores well in an airtight container for up to three days.