• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • Meal Planning Made Simple
  • About Me
  • Home

Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat.

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Meal Planning Made Simple
  • About Me
  • Home
  • Connect

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Meal Planning Made Simple
    • About Me
    • Home
  • Connect

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Salads and Dressings

    Published: Nov 20, 2022 · Modified: Mar 9, 2023 by Cassie Waltman · 5 Comments

    Easy Chicken Pecan Salad (With 5 Variations!)

    click here to get straight to the recipe

    Easy chicken pecan salad is a weekly staple recipe that is a crunchy, creamy, protein-packed filling for sandwiches, crackers, or over a bed of lettuce. It’s the very best thing that you can do with a rotisserie chicken besides stand at the kitchen counter and eat those tiny drumsticks right out of the package.

    Easy Chicken Pecan Salad piled in a wooden bowl with chunks of pecans and celery.

    This is almost an embarrassingly simple recipe for a very basic food, but it's one I return to over and over because it is my favorite version of chicken salad. I've updated the recipe to include five different variations so there's something here for everyone.

    Looking for another great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken? Try a Creamy Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust or this Leftover Turkey Turnovers with Simple Potato Curry Filling as well!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Basic Chicken Pecan Salad
    • Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad
    • Chicken Pecan Apple Salad
    • Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes
    • Chicken Salad Melt
    • Substitutions
    • Make This Recipe Kid Friendly
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More No-Cook Meals
    • Pairing Suggestions
    • Try It and Share
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    I include ingredient notes here when I think they’ll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!

    Ingredients for the recipe are displayed in bowls on a white surface with white labels for the following: pecans, diced or shredded chicken, kosher salt & pepper, mayonnaise, and diced celery.
    • Leftover Chicken or Turkey Breast: Dice up the chicken or turkey for lettuce wraps or serving on crackers. I prefer the meat shredded for sandwiches so that they hold together better.
    • Pecans: The sweet and buttery flavor of pecans gets even better with toasting, so don't skip that important step!
    • Celery: I love the crunchy texture that celery brings to this salad. Dice the celery very fine so that it doesn't fall out of your sandwiches.
    • Mayonnaise: This is a mayonnaise-only zone, you won't find any "sandwich dressing" substitutes here.

    Basic Chicken Pecan Salad

    Pecan halves toasting in a black skillet.

    To start, take a few minutes to toast the pecans in a dry frying pan before chopping them up and adding them to the mix! You’ll know they are ready when you start to smell the nutty aroma.

    Triangle quarters of a chicken pecan salad sandwich with green lettuce placed in a white plastic basket with a checkered cloth.

    Dice the celery and add it to a medium bowl along with the chicken, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and pecans. Basic chicken pecan salad is perfect on wheat bread for lunch!

    Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad

    Cranberry chicken pecan salad piled on three golden rolls sitting on a gray plate.

    Add sweet dried cranberries and fresh parsley for a subtle flavor boost to the basic recipe. Simply stir in these two extra ingredients! Cranberry chicken pecan salad is perfect served on sweet Hawaiian-style rolls for a crowd.

    Chicken Pecan Apple Salad

    A chicken pecan apple salad sandwich served on a gray plate with a side of chips and apple slices.

    Apples and thyme are a terrific combination, and they give extra crunch and flavor to the basic chicken salad recipe. This is still a simple recipe, and chicken pecan apple salad is perfect for weekday lunch on wheat bread.

    Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes

    Curry chicken salad with grapes served on a bed of lettuce on a black background.

    Curry powder livens up the chicken salad with an earthy blend of spices. Add shredded carrot and quartered grapes to balance the flavor and add a bit more texture and sweetness. You may need an additional tablespoon of mayonnaise to get the right texture. Curry chicken salad with grapes is terrific served in large leaves of lettuce for a wrap.

    Chicken Salad Melt

    Two halves of a chicken pecan salad melt stacked in a tower on a wooden plate with orange cheddar melting out of the center.

    You can make a chicken salad melt with any of the variations above, but a classic combination of either the basic chicken pecan salad or the chicken pecan apple salad with a sharp cheddar cheese is a surefire hit.

    Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Butter one side each of two slices of bread. Place one buttered side down on the skillet and sprinkle over the cheese. Add a generous scoop of chicken salad and spread it out over the cheese. Cover with the other slice of bread buttered side up.

    Place a lid on top of the skillet and cook until the bread is golden. Flip the sandwich and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted.

    Substitutions

    The substitutions listed below have been tested in this recipe and work well. If you successfully make any other ingredient substitutions, let us know in the comments!

    • Use canned chicken for a simple substitution that you can make any time, no leftovers required!
    • Substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise for an extra creamy version. Adjust the salt a bit to keep the seasoning balanced.
    • Use grilled chicken for an extra layer of smoky flavor that goes particularly well with the curry chicken salad version.

    Make This Recipe Kid Friendly

    Capitalize on the popularity of dipping by serving this chicken pecan salad to kids with crackers, carrot sticks, or celery sticks.  This can be a great thing to have on hand for easy lunches or dinners when the main course is rejected.

    Chicken salad in a wooden bowl and spread on wheat crackers.

    Storage

    If you aren't using up your chicken pecan salad immediately, store it in an airtight container for up to three days. It won't hang around long enough to worry about storage, though!  Do not freeze this recipe, the celery will break down and the texture won’t be great after thawing.

    FAQ

    How do you keep chicken salad from tasting bland?

    Good seasoning is key for a flavorful chicken salad.  Chicken pecan salad tastes best with a generous amount of ground black pepper, so be sure to taste the mixture before serving and adjust the salt and other seasonings to your taste.

    How do you keep chicken salad from tasting dry?

    Add a sufficient amount of moisture from the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and celery to keep your chicken salad from tasting dry.  After storing in the refrigerator, your chicken salad may have absorbed some moisture and needs a dollop of additional mayonnaise to bring it back to a creamy texture.

    Should you serve chicken salad cold?

    Chicken salad should be stored in the refrigerator, but for optimal flavor bring it closer to room temperature before serving.

    More No-Cook Meals

    If you need more no-cook meal ideas for warm summer nights or simple dinners all year long, try out any of these recipes:

    • A shallow gray bowl is packed with a chopped salad with chunks of chicken, corn, tomato, and jicama visible.
      Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad + BBQ Ranch Dressing
    • Baja Shrimp Cocktail
    • Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Hoisin Vinaigrette
    • The mixed salad is plated on a black and white plate and has pieces of crispy pepperoni, chickpeas, olives, mozzarella, basil, pepper, and tomato visible.
      Antipasto Chopped Salad with Air Fryer Pepperoni Chips

    Pairing Suggestions

    Pair a savory chicken pecan salad sandwich with these recipes for a simple summer luncheon:

    • A carafe of lemonade sits on a green woven tray next to a glass of lemonade and a plate of lemon slices and basil leaves.
      Homemade Basil Lemonade
    • A white plate is piled with mixed greens, fresh strawberries, almonds, bacon, goat cheese with pink coating, and a pink dressing.
      Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup
    • Four glasses filled with sliced fresh peaches, whipped cream, and angel food croutons arranged on a white surface.
      Fresh Peach Trifle with Angel Food Croutons and Rosemary Syrup

    Try It and Share

    I hope you try one of these Chicken Pecan Salad variations and share the recipe with family or friends. I want to see your results! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.

    Recipe

    Easy Chicken Pecan Salad piled in a wooden bowl with chunks of pecans and celery.

    Easy Chicken Pecan Salad (With 5 Variations!)

    Cassie Waltman
    Make a classic chicken pecan salad with toasted pecans and crunchy celery or step up your chicken salad game with 4 additional variations.
    5 from 2 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Lunch, Main Course, Salad, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 302 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Basic Chicken Pecan Salad

    • 2 cups cooked chicken (diced or shredded, about 10 oz.)
    • ⅓ cup pecans (toasted and chopped, about 1.3 oz.)
    • ⅓ cup celery (finely died from one large rib)
    • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (ground)

    Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad

    • ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely diced

    Chicken Pecan Apple Salad

    • ½ cup apple, diced in ¼" pieces
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

    Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes

    • ¼ cup shredded carrot
    • ½ cup green grapes, quartered
    • 1½ teaspoon curry powder
    • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise

    Chicken Salad Melt

    • ⅓ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

    Instructions
     

    Basic Chicken Pecan Salad

    • Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Remove to a cutting board to cool and then chop.
    • In a medium bowl, combine diced chicken, celery, pecans, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper until well mixed. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

    Variations

    • Stir in the additional ingredients listed above.
    • For the chicken salad melt butter one side of a piece of bread. Place it in a skillet (butter side down) heated over medium-low heat. Sprinkle the cheese over the bread and then cover with a generous amount of chicken salad. Place another piece of buttered bread (buttered side up) on top and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook 3-4 minutes per side, until the bread is toasted golden and the cheese is melted.

    Notes

    Nutrition facts are calculated for the basic chicken pecan salad version.

    Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts caculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 302kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 19gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 468mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
    Share your results on Instagram!Mention @planeatpostrepeat or tag #planeatpostrepeat !

    More Salad and Dressing Recipes

    • A copper bowl is filled with the buttered pecans and garnished with a sprig of rosemary.
      Buttered Pecans with Brown Sugar, Rosemary, and Cayenne
    • The finished salad is plated up in a gray bowl.
      Cucumber and Carrot Salad
    • A glass cup of a pale green dressing sits on a cork coaster over a light wood tray.
      Creamy Cilantro Pepita Dressing
    • The salad plated on a large white platter sitting on a black and white towel.
      Crispy Halloumi Lentil Salad with Cauliflower & Pomegranate

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cassie says

      January 31, 2023 at 9:36 pm

      5 stars
      I'd love to hear your favorite variation!

      Reply

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Cassie! I'm glad you're here. Check out my most popular recipes below or browse the recipe index for a new favorite.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • The finished casserole sits on a white table next to a white and green striped towel, a stack of plates, and a spatula.
      Frozen Burrito Casserole with Green Enchilada Sauce
    • A glass cup of a pale green dressing sits on a cork coaster over a light wood tray.
      Creamy Cilantro Pepita Dressing
    • A bowl of yellow sauce sprinkled with orange spice sits on a cutting board next to a sliced lemon half and a small white spoon.
      Mom's Simple Microwave Hollandaise Sauce (No Blender)
    • Easy Chicken Pecan Salad piled in a wooden bowl with chunks of pecans and celery.
      Easy Chicken Pecan Salad (With 5 Variations!)

    Seasonal Favorites

    • A Spinach and Feta Pie sits on a wooden cutting board with a serving on a white plate next to it.
      Spinach and Feta Pie
    • Prepared short ribs are bathed in a glossy sauce in the bottom of a large pot.
      Cranberry Braised Short Ribs with Cranberry Red Wine Glaze
    • Easy One Bowl Soft Orange Cardamom Cookies
    • The bronzed gratin in a black cast iron skillet is at the center of the image, surrounded by plates, forks, an ear of corn, a Parmesan cheese wedge, and cloves of garlic.
      Garlic Parmesan Corn Au Gratin

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me

    Subscribe

    • *Sign Up* coming soon for meal plans sent to your inbox!

    Contact

    • Email

    Copyright © 2024 Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat.

    Chicken pecan salad piled in a wooden bowl with chunks of pecans and celery. The words, "Easy Chicken Pecan Salad with 5 variations" and "Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat." are in a box at the top.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    Name and email are required