Cranberry Hen Salad | Diethood

My favourite cranberry rooster salad is full of candy cranberries, crunchy almonds, and smoky bacon tossed in a lightened-up, tangy yogurt dressing. It’s straightforward to make and filling sufficient to gas my complete day. You’re going to find it irresistible!

This cranberry rooster salad is one in every of my favourite straightforward rooster salad variations. Principally as a result of it’s simply that good, but in addition as a result of it’s the simplest 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 in the course of the holidays and it was gone inside the first 20 minutes. That is THE salad I crack out every time a good friend or acquaintance hits me with that, “however salads are BORING” line. Creamy, crunchy, candy, and savory– this cranberry rooster 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 traditional 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 direction of the flavors and textures. This cranberry rooster salad satisfies my love for all issues candy, salty, and crunchy. There are tart cranberries, juicy rooster items, crunchy almonds, and crispy, salty bacon. Don’t even get me began on the creamy Dijon dressing. It’s all kinds of deliciousness in a single bowl.
• Thirdly, it’s simply so darn straightforward. This rooster salad doesn’t require any fancy substances or a ton of prepping, particularly after I make it with leftover rooster! I add the whole lot to a bowl, whisk up the dressing, then toss and luxuriate in. It’s prepared for the vacations, or my subsequent BBQ.

Salad Substances

As you’ll be able to see, there are many causes to like this cranberry rooster salad, together with the ingredient checklist! I’ve jotted down some notes right here and you’ll discover a printable checklist 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 rooster you’ve readily available. I normally use leftover rooster tenders or rooster breasts. 
• Bacon – Prepare dinner the bacon utilizing your most well-liked technique (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 exploit for a walnut rooster salad.
• Cranberries – I like to recommend dried cranberries since they’re much less tart. 

For the Dressing

• Yogurt – I exploit non-fat plain yogurt from Dannon. Be at liberty to make use of your favourite or plain Greek yogurt.
• Dijon Mustard – I really like the milder creaminess of Dijon, however you should utilize yellow mustard if that’s what you’ve.
• Parmesan – Freshly grated is greatest.
• Herbs – I exploit finely chopped recent rosemary and minced garlic. You should utilize one other herb, recent or dried, like thyme leaves or basil. For those who don’t have recent garlic, change the clove with ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Lemon Juice – To brighten up the flavors. You can even use purple or white wine vinegar.

The right way to Make a Cranberry Hen Salad

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

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

Serving Ideas

Any time of the yr, this cranberry rooster 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 major 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!

The right way to Retailer

As soon as the dressing is added, this cranberry rooster salad is greatest 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 simple make-ahead hack!

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