High-Protein Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Creamy, crunchy chicken salad with tart cranberries and toasted pecans — high-protein, low-carb, and ready in 15 minutes
This high-protein chicken salad combines shredded chicken with crisp celery, toasted pecans, and a touch of cranberry for sweet-tart balance. A light, creamy dressing keeps it low-carb and sugar-free while delivering 30 g of protein and only 6 g net carbs per serving.
No cooking required if you use pre-cooked chicken, completely sugar-free, and perfect for quick lunches, sandwiches, or lettuce wraps.
Why you’ll love this chicken salad
- 30g protein per serving — a complete high-protein meal
- Only 6g net carbs and fully sugar-free
- Crunchy pecans + tart cranberries for great texture and flavor
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- No cooking required with pre-cooked chicken
- Excellent for meal prep and sandwiches or lettuce wraps
Health notes
- High protein: Shredded chicken is the main protein source.
- Low carb: Celery, pecans, and a controlled amount of cranberries keep net carbs low.
- Sugar-free: Use sugar-free dried cranberries or fresh cranberries with a zero-carb sweetener.
- Healthy fats: Pecans and a light mayo or Greek yogurt dressing add satisfying fats.
Key element — toast the pecans
A quick toast in a dry skillet brings out the nutty flavor and improves the crunch. It only takes 2–3 minutes and makes a noticeable difference.
Ingredients
Chicken & mix-ins
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 1 lb / 450g)
- ½ cup diced celery
- ⅓ cup chopped toasted pecans
- ¼–⅓ cup sugar-free dried cranberries (or fresh cranberries chopped + sweetener)
- Optional: 2–3 Tbsp finely diced red onion
Dressing
- ⅓–½ cup mayonnaise or a mix of mayo + plain Greek yogurt
- 1–2 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of dried dill or celery seed
To serve
- Lettuce cups, low-carb wraps, or celery sticks
- Extra pecans or cranberries for garnish
Swaps
- Turkey: Use leftover turkey instead of chicken.
- Nut-free: Swap pecans for sunflower seeds or omit.
- Higher protein: Use more Greek yogurt in the dressing and less mayo.
- Fresher cranberries: Use chopped fresh cranberries with a bit of sugar-free sweetener.
Instructions
| 1 | Toast the pecans (optional but recommended). Place the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool. |
| 2 | Make the dressing. In a large bowl whisk together the mayonnaise (or mayo + Greek yogurt), Dijon if using, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and any optional herbs until smooth. |
| 3 | Combine. Add the shredded chicken, diced celery, toasted pecans, cranberries, and optional red onion to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. |
| 4 | Taste and adjust. Taste and add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or a touch of sweetener if needed. For best flavor, chill 10–15 minutes before serving (optional). |
| 5 | Serve. Spoon into lettuce cups, low-carb wraps, or serve over greens. Garnish with a few extra pecans or cranberries if desired. |
Pro tips
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to keep prep under 15 minutes.
- Toast the pecans for better flavor and crunch.
- A mix of mayo and Greek yogurt lightens the dressing while boosting protein.
- Chill briefly before serving so the flavors meld.
- This salad keeps well and is excellent for meal-prep lunches.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 290 |
| Protein | 30g |
| Net carbohydrates | 6g |
| Total carbohydrates | 9g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Total fat | 16g |
| Sodium | 420mg |
Estimates based on cooked chicken breast, mayo-Greek yogurt dressing, and sugar-free dried cranberries. Exact numbers vary with cranberry amount and dressing ratio.
Variations
Classic style
Skip the cranberries and pecans for a simple celery-and-onion chicken salad.
Apple version
Swap cranberries for finely diced apple (adjust carbs) and keep the pecans.
Curry twist
Add ½–1 tsp curry powder to the dressing for a different flavor profile.
Extra crunch
Add diced cucumber or extra celery for more texture.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Store in an airtight container |
| Meal prep | Up to 4 days | Perfect for grab-and-go lunches |
| Freezer | Not recommended | Texture of the dressing and celery changes when frozen |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about this cranberry pecan chicken salad
1. Protein per serving?
2. Net carbs per serving?
3. Why toast the pecans?
4. About how long does this take?
5. Best way to serve it?
