Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe with Avocado

Name: Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe with Avocado
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 medium avocado (mashed); 1 cup Greek yogurt; 1/3 cup dried cranberries; 3 stalks celery (finely diced); 1/3 cup chopped shelled pistachios; 3 cups diced cooked chicken (note: I prefer poaching so its moist and unbrowned); 3 tbsp finely minced red onion or shallot; Salt and pepper (to taste)

Jump to Recipe

Medically reviewed by Abbey Sharp, Registered Dietitian (RD), BASc.

This cranberry chicken salad recipe with avocado makes for an easy balanced lunch that only requires 7 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare.

Birds eye view of cranberry chicken salad in lettuce cups.

When I think of easy no-fuss lunch recipes that are perfect for the warmer months, one of the first things that comes to mind is chicken salad. Not only is it super easy to prepare, but it’s also portable, filling, and oh so tasty.

While you can totally just combine chicken with mayo and a bit of veg and call it a day, that just wouldn’t fly around here at Abbey’s Kitchen- I firmly believe that easy meals shouldn’t sacrifice flavour. With that said, this cranberry chicken salad recipe ain’t your grandma’s chicken salad recipe.

Not only is this recipe nutrient-packed, but with a little bit of extra pizzaz, we made sure that the flavour and texture profile is on point!

Why This Recipe Works
Key Ingredients
How to Make This Recipe
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQ
More Recipes You Might Like

Why This Recipe Works

This cranberry chicken salad is as easy as it gets when it comes to simple and tasty recipes. Here are a few more reasons why you need this recipe in your meal-prep repertoire!

Only requires 7 ingredients
Takes 15 minutes to prepare
High in protein and fibre
Versatile (use in multiple meals!)
Great as an easy lunch options

Key Ingredients

Flat lay image of portioned recipe ingredients including red onion, chicken, cranberry, Greek yogurt, celery, avocado, and pistachio.

Chicken Breast – for this recipe I like to poach the chicken so that it is moist and unbrowned. But if you are in a pinch, you can also opt for rotiserrie chicken instead.

Greek Yogurt – Instead of the usual mayo that is paired with chicken salad, we are using plain Greek yogurt instead. Quite honestly – you cannot tell the difference at all!

Avocado – For a little more healthy fat action, we are also throwing in some creamy avocado to this chicken salad to make it extra delish. Be sure to use ripe avocados so that it blends well with the yogurt.

Cranberry – This is an absolute must! There is something about the extra touch of sweetness imparted by the cranberries that really takes this chicken salad up a notch and will keep you coming back for seconds.

How to Make This Recipe

Three side by side images showing how to mash mayo and avocado, add ingredients, and combine.

Step 1: Combine Greek yogurt and avocado by mashing together with a fork until well combined and smooth.

Step 2: Add remainder of ingredients including cranberries, celery, red onion, chicken, and pistachios.

Step 3: Mix until well combined and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with toast, crackers, or in lettuce cups.

Expert Tips

Make sure to taste as you go, and if you feel that this recipe needs an extra pop of flavour feel free to add your choice of hot sauce, lemon juice, or honey mustard.

We recommend finely dicing the celery, red onion, and pistachio so that its not super chunky and easier to work with. This also ensures you get a little bit of everything in each bite.

If you are in a pinch and don’t have time to poach the chicken, using rotisserie chicken will do however it may alter the flavour profile slightly. Be sure to remove the skins.

Recipe FAQ

How long does this keep in the fridge?

This should last in the fridge for about 3-5 days.

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

Definitely! Instead of Greek yogurt you can use any dairy-free plain yogurt instead OR veganaise.

How can you eat this chicken salad?

So many options- in lettuce cups (if a lower carb option is your thing), scooped up with crackers, stuffed in a pita, on toast, in a salad. Truly, the options are endless!

Close up of cranberry chicken salad in a sandwich on a pink plate.

More Recipes You Might Like

If you loved this cranberry chicken salad recipe, then you have to try more of these salad recipes on the blog!

What are your favourite easy lunch recipes lately? Let me know in a comment below!