Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked Chicken Breast, shredded or diced (approx. 450 g)
  • ½ cup celery, finely diced (approx. 75 g)
  • ½ cup Dried Cranberries (Craisins) (approx. 75 g)
  • ½ cup Pecans, roughly chopped, lightly toasted (approx. 60 g)
  • ½ cup Mayonnaise, full-fat (approx. 120 mL)
  • ¼ cup Plain Greek Yoghurt, full-fat (approx. 60 mL)
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, finely chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley (Flat-leaf), finely chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions:

  1. Prep the Chicken: Ensure the chicken is completely cool. Shred the chicken using two forks or dice it into uniform, bite-sized (approx. ½-inch) pieces. Place the prepared chicken in the large mixing bowl.
  2. Toast the Pecans: Place the chopped pecans in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Toast for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Immediately remove from the pan and allow to cool fully before adding them to the chicken bowl.
  3. Prepare Vegetables and Herbs: Finely dice the celery and chop the chives and parsley. Add the celery, cranberries, and cooled pecans to the bowl with the chicken.
  4. Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy.
  5. Season the Dressing: Add the salt and pepper to the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning; the dressing should be slightly punchy at this stage.
  6. Combine and Fold: Pour the whisked dressing over the chicken mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated. Take care not to overmix, as this can turn the chicken mushy.
  7. Add Finishing Herbs: Gently fold in the fresh chives and parsley.
  8. The Flavour Merge (Crucial Step): Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for a minimum of 30 minutes (up to 4 hours is even better). This allows the flavours to meld beautifully and the chicken to properly absorb the dressing.
  9. Final Check and Serve: Just before serving, give the salad a final stir and check the seasoning. If the mixture is too stiff, stir in a teaspoon of lemon juice or water to loosen it slightly.