Cranberry Hen Salad | Diethood

My favourite cranberry hen salad is filled with candy cranberries, crunchy almonds, and smoky bacon tossed in a lightened-up, tangy yogurt dressing. It’s straightforward to make and filling sufficient to gasoline my complete day. You’re going to like it!

This cranberry hen salad is certainly one of my favourite straightforward hen salad variations. Largely as a result of it’s simply that good, but additionally as a result of it’s the best salad to make for any event, any time of the yr. It’s festive and potluck-y, too, so I took it to a celebration as soon as through the holidays and it was gone throughout the first 20 minutes. That is THE salad I crack out each time a buddy or acquaintance hits me with that, “however salads are BORING” line. Creamy, crunchy, candy, and savory– this cranberry hen salad is the precise reverse of boring!

Why I Love This Hen Salad Recipe

• First, I like something and all issues salad. Whether or not it’s a basic chef salad, a fruity watermelon salad, or a leafy Mediterranean salad. The opposite day, my daughter requested me why my favourite colour isn’t inexperienced as a result of I eat so many salads. Sufficient mentioned?
• Secondly, I gravitate in the direction of the flavors and textures. This cranberry hen salad satisfies my love for all issues candy, salty, and crunchy. There are tart cranberries, juicy hen items, crunchy almonds, and crispy, salty bacon. Don’t even get me began on the creamy Dijon dressing. It’s all types of deliciousness in a single bowl.
• Thirdly, it’s simply so darn straightforward. This hen salad doesn’t require any fancy elements or a ton of prepping, particularly after I make it with leftover hen! I add all the things to a bowl, whisk up the dressing, then toss and luxuriate in. It’s prepared for the vacations, or my subsequent BBQ.

Salad Elements

As you may see, there are many causes to like this cranberry hen salad, together with the ingredient listing! I’ve jotted down some notes right here and you’ll discover a printable listing with quantities within the recipe card after the publish.

• Greens – I chop up romaine hearts as a result of I just like the crunch. You should utilize any salad greens your coronary heart wishes, whether or not that’s iceberg lettuce, blended greens, or one thing with a bit extra taste, like peppery arugula. Massaged kale additionally works nice, right here.
• Hen – Cube up any cooked hen you have got readily available. I normally use leftover hen tenders or hen breasts. 
• Bacon – Prepare dinner the bacon utilizing your most popular methodology (for me, that’s the air fryer). Different good choices are diced pancetta or chorizo.
• Almonds – Or one other nut, like pecans or walnuts, like I take advantage of for a walnut hen salad.
• Cranberries – I like to recommend dried cranberries since they’re much less tart. 

For the Dressing

• Yogurt – I take advantage of non-fat plain yogurt from Dannon. Be happy to make use of your favourite or plain Greek yogurt.
• Dijon Mustard – I like the milder creaminess of Dijon, however you should utilize yellow mustard if that’s what you have got.
• Parmesan – Freshly grated is finest.
• Herbs – I take advantage of finely chopped contemporary rosemary and minced garlic. You should utilize one other herb, contemporary or dried, like thyme leaves or basil. For those who don’t have contemporary garlic, exchange the clove with ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Lemon Juice – To brighten up the flavors. You may as well use pink or white wine vinegar.

Easy methods to Make a Cranberry Hen Salad

Salads must be straightforward, and this one undoubtedly makes the minimize. It’s prepared in 20 minutes or much less in two easy steps:

• Assemble the salad. First, add your lettuce, hen, bacon, chopped nuts, and cranberries to an enormous salad bowl.
• Add the dressing. In the meantime, whisk collectively the elements for the short yogurt dressing. Pour that over your hen salad, give it a great toss, and luxuriate in!

Serving Options

Any time of the yr, this cranberry hen salad goes nice with a facet of cool, crisp Chardonnay and fluffy focaccia slices dunked in garlic butter. Serve it with a starter of stuffed peppers or a fundamental like grilled salmon and you’ve got one heck of a meal.

I additionally love this salad as a vacation facet to roast pork or roast turkey at Christmas (cranberries = Christmas, proper?) proper up there with my favourite stuffing and creamy inexperienced bean casserole. Clearly with a yuletide daisy cocktail in hand!

Easy methods to Retailer

As soon as the dressing is added, this cranberry hen salad is finest loved inside a few hours. Sadly, as with most salads, the leftovers are likely to go soggy after a day or two within the fridge. See the part above for a straightforward make-ahead hack!

Extra Hen Salad Recipes