This delightful chicken salad combines tender diced chicken with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fresh vegetables for the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Easy to make and elegant enough for entertaining, it's comfort food that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.
Combine chicken, celery, relish, mayonnaise, dried cranberries, diced onion, salt, pepper, and pecan pieces in a large bowl.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
When ready to serve, scoop 3/4 to 1 cup of chicken salad onto a slice of bread.
Top with a second slice of bread and serve immediately.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or leftover roasted chicken for homemade flavorToast the bread for extra texture and to prevent sogginessSubstitute walnuts or almonds for pecans if preferredMake the salad up to 24 hours ahead for even better flavor developmentAdd a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors and prevent browningServe on croissants, lettuce wraps, or crackers for varietyAdjust mayonnaise quantity based on desired consistency