Description
This Cherry Chicken Salad is a quick, refreshing, and flavorful dish perfect for using leftover rotisserie chicken. It combines tender shredded chicken with sweet cherries, a creamy tangy dressing, and optional crunchy nuts, making it ideal for a light lunch or dinner served on lettuce or bread.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved (or dried cherries if fresh not available)
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded cooked chicken, cherries, chopped green onion, and if using, the chopped pecans or walnuts to incorporate all the fresh and crunchy components evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined to create a creamy and tangy dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing, ensuring balanced flavor throughout.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to suit your preference and enhance the flavors.
- Chill the Salad: For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
- Serve: Serve the cherry chicken salad chilled on a bed of lettuce, as a sandwich filling, or with your favorite bread or crackers for a delicious meal or snack.
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Fresh cherries add a juicy sweetness, but dried cherries can be used as a convenient substitute.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with extra Greek yogurt.
- Adding nuts provides a delightful crunch and additional nutrients, but they can be omitted for a nut-free option.
- Avoid over-mixing to keep the cherries intact and maintain the salad’s texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American