This Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad recipe is filled with crunchy almonds, sweet and chewy dried cranberries and fresh celery for crunch. It’s dressed with a creamy poppy seed dressing and seasoned to perfection. Serve it for light meals and snacking or as an appetizer with crackers.

Easy Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

Classic chicken salad recipes come in countless variations, each with its own personal twist. This cranberry almond chicken salad stands out with a creamy, flavorful dressing made even better with prepared poppy seed dressing for a subtle sweet and tangy boost.

Perfect for meal prep, this easy chicken salad can be made ahead and chilled until ready to serve—ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or quick snacks on busy days. The combination of chewy dried cranberries and crunchy toasted almonds adds delicious texture and a balance of sweet, nutty flavor that makes this version especially irresistible.

Key ingredients to make Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Chicken – Fully cooked rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken.
Cranberries – Dried cranberries or Craisins for a hint of fruity flavor.
Nuts – Toasted almonds for texture and crunch.
Celery – Celery adds texture and enhances the taste.
Dressing – Mayonnaise, prepared poppy seed dressing, fresh chives, onion, powder, salt, black pepper and garlic powder.

How to Make the Best Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

Toast the Almonds – Spread almonds on a sheet pan. Roast in a preheated 350°F oven until lightly golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Make the Dressing – In a medium bowl stir together the mayo, poppy seed dressing, chives, salt, onion powder, black pepper and granulated garlic until fully combined.
Mix-ins – To the bowl toss in the chicken, celery, toasted almond slices and dried cranberries. Mix gently until combined.
Refrigerate – Place into an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Serve on onion rolls, croissants or slider rolls dressed with green leaf or bibb lettuce.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Almond Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Large bowl.
Sheet pan to toast the almonds.
Balloon whisk.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Sharp knife and chopping board.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Chicken – You can use any cooked or leftover chicken in this cranberry chicken salad recipe. You can use poached chicken, roasted chicken or grilled chicken. You may also opt to use all chicken breast meat. You can also use this recipe to transform leftover turkey from Thanksgiving.
Cranberries – This chicken salad recipe works best with sweet dried cranberries or Craisins. Fresh cranberries are too tart.
Mayonnaise – You can replace mayo with plain Greek yogurt.
Onion – You can add finely diced red onion or shallots.
Fresh Herbs – Toss in fresh herbs such as fresh parsley or tarragon.
Nuts – You could use walnuts or pecans in place of almonds. I highly recommend toasting the nuts for the depth of flavor it lends to the nuts and the chicken salad overall.

Storage and Leftovers

Serving Options – You can serve this chicken salad on warm toasted and buttered croissants, brioche bun or on bread as a sandwich. I love serving it on fresh Maui Onion Rolls for an over-the-top combination. You can also serve this salad on slider rolls, simply on a bed of lettuce, stuffed into mini croissants as an appetizer in filo cups. You could also make chicken salad wraps.
Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully assemble chicken salad one day in advance, cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving.
Leftovers – Store leftover Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Southern Style Chicken Salad Recipes to Make

For game day or appetizer options we enjoy Hot Chicken Salad with chips or crackers for dipping.
Southern Style Chicken Salad on a bed of lettuce or stuffed into a Kaiser roll makes for a light meal or between meal snacking.
Waldorf Chicken Salad is a fusion of two classics.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad is dressed with homemade Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing. (Better than Chick fil A!)
Add some spice to the menu with this Curried Chicken Salad.
You may also love a lighter take on chicken salad with this Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad with Grapes from a Dish of Daily Life.

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