The Absolute Best Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

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If you’re looking for a delicious twist on a traditional chicken salad recipe, this is it! I got this easy cranberry almond chicken salad recipe from a dear friend, and the cranberries and toasted almonds add the perfect sweet and crunchy upgrade. Plus, there’s no celery—because I’m allergic (who even is allergic to celery? Me!). Lucky for you, that means I’ve tested lots of versions, and I can honestly say: this is the best chicken salad recipe I’ve made.

The tangy cream cheese mixed with the sweet cranberries and crunchy almonds gives it so much flavor and makes it stand out from the usual deli versions. Serve it on a buttery croissant (my favorite), sandwich bread, crackers, or even lettuce leaves for a lighter option.

Perfect for baby showers, bridal showers, brunches, holiday parties, or easy weekday lunches!

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

Make-ahead friendly — tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge
Crowd-pleaser — perfect for bridal showers, baby showers, or potlucks
Budget-friendly— use a Costco rotisserie chicken and croissants to feed a crowd!
Great for leftover chicken — I prefer to mostly use chicken breast

Tip: Use your stand mixer to quickly shred your chicken!

Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Ingredients

Here’s my exact recipe with precise measurements to make it easy for you to recreate:

Chicken Salad:

1 rotisserie chicken, or any cooked chicken breast, meat removed and shredded
3 green onions, chopped
2.5 oz toasted slivered or sliced almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins), chopped
Fresh chives for garnish (optional)

Dressing:

5 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
2 TBSP of Sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp Dijon or brown mustard
1/4 tsp celery seed (adds flavor without real celery!)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

How to Make Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped green onions, cranberries, and almonds.
In a separate bowl, mix together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well coated.
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps the flavors blend and makes it easier to serve.
Serve on croissants, rolls, sandwich bread, crackers, or on a bed of lettuce leaves.

Planning ahead? You can make this up to 24 hours in advance—just give it a quick stir before serving.

Great Options to Serve This Chicken Salad

Mini croissants for baby or bridal showers (my favorite way!)
Slider rolls for parties
Lettuce cups/Lettuce leaves/Bed of lettuce for a low-carb option, use a thicker lettuce like Romaine lettuce or Butter lettuce
Crackers for a snack board or appetizer platter
Tortilla wraps for a grab-and-go lunch
Cucumber or carrot “chips”

What to Serve With Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad

Mixed Green Salad – Light greens with a citrus vinaigrette to balance the creaminess.
Cucumber Salad – Refreshing and crunchy, possibly with dill or red onion.
Fruit Salad – Berries, grapes, and melon pair well with the sweet cranberries and almonds.
Raw Veggies with Hummus or Ranch Dip – Carrots, celery, and bell peppers for crunch and freshness.
Pasta Salad – Something light like an orzo salad with lemon and herbs works well.
Pasta Salad – Something light like an orzo salad with lemon and herbs works well.
Wild Rice Pilaf – Nutty and earthy flavors go well with the chicken salad.
Apple Slices or Apple Slaw – Fresh and tart, adds a juicy crunch.
Potato Chips — Kettle chips are a great choice.

More Party-Friendly Recipes

If you loved this chicken salad recipe, check out these other crowd-pleasing favorites:

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a shower, hosting friends, or just meal prepping for the week, this Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is a flavorful, easy, and memorable recipe your guests will love. Try it out and leave a comment to let me know how it went!