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Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad recipe panera

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad recipe panera

This creamy, tangy, and crunchy Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad is inspired by the Panera classic — but lightened up with Greek yogurt. It’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or enjoyed straight from the bowl. Quick to prepare, it’s a simple comfort food that brings balance and flavor to any meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries plumped in warm water if dry
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts toasted for best flavor
  • 1/3 cup celery finely diced
  • 2 tbsp red onion finely minced
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt use full-fat or 2% for best texture
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the chicken by poaching, baking, or grilling. Let it cool completely, then chop into small, even cubes.
  • Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly golden. Let cool.
  • If dried cranberries are firm, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
  • Finely dice celery and red onion. If onion is sharp, rinse under cold water and pat dry.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Add the chopped chicken, celery, onion, cranberries, and walnuts to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more mustard for tang, more yogurt for creaminess, or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
  • Cover and chill for 20–30 minutes. This allows flavors to meld and dressing to thicken.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Serve cold in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or on a bed of greens.

Notes

To keep walnuts crunchy for meal prep, store them separately and stir in before serving. If the salad thickens in the fridge, loosen with a little extra yogurt. Optional café-style finish: dust with paprika and top with extra cranberries.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 90IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword chicken salad, Cranberry, meal prep, Panera Style
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