Description
This Cranberry Chicken Salad with Pine Nuts offers a delightful combination of tender chicken, tart cranberries, and crunchy toasted pine nuts tossed in a light and creamy dressing made with plant-based mayonnaise, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and a natural gelling agent. Perfect for lunch, picnic, or a colorful side dish, this salad balances fresh flavors and textures for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup minced red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped smoked turkey bacon (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup plant-based mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain plant-based yogurt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breast by poaching, baking, or grilling until juicy and tender. Allow to cool, then chop or shred into bite-sized pieces suitable for the salad.
- Toast the Pine Nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add the pine nuts and stir frequently for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Mix the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together plant-based mayonnaise, plant-based yogurt, apple cider vinegar (natural), and the natural gelling agent until smooth, creamy, and slightly glossy.
- Chop and Combine Ingredients: Finely dice celery and red onion, chop fresh parsley, and if using, cut smoked turkey bacon into small pieces. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine chicken, cranberries, toasted pine nuts, celery, red onion, parsley, and smoked turkey bacon.
- Add Dressing and Season: Pour the dressing evenly over the salad mixture and fold gently to coat all ingredients well. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken for best texture and flavor.
- Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning as they can become bitter.
- Chilling the salad for an hour before serving helps the flavors meld.
- Adjust the amount of natural gelling agent to keep dressing light but creamy.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance; flavors improve with resting time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: cranberry chicken salad, pine nuts, plant-based dressing, light salad, gluten free, fresh chicken salad
