Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that perfectly captures the essence of Fall: Harvest Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Cranberry Mayo. These delectable sandwiches offer a delightful blend of savory chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a sweet and tangy cranberry-infused mayo that will leave your taste buds dancing.
With each bite, you’ll experience the perfect harmony of flavors and textures that make this recipe a true autumnal delight
Fall Favorites: Cozy Chicken Salad with Cranberry Mayo
This New England-inspired chicken salad sandwich features a unique twist with the addition of cranberries, a staple of the region’s culinary heritage. Long before the arrival of the European settlers, Native Americans were harvesting and using cranberries, and later, the Pilgrims would continue this tradition by gathering wild cranberries from the marshes near Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The combination of sweet cranberries and savory chicken creates a harmonious blend of flavors in this delicious salad.
Ingredients:
Yields: 4 sandwiches Prep time: 20 minutes
For The Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
For The Cranberry Mayo:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For The Sandwiches:
- 8 slices bread or 4 soft rolls
- Lettuce leaves
Instructions
Step 1. Make The Cranberry Mayo Spread
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, cranberry sauce, and lemon juice. Stir until well combined.
Step 2. Chop The Ingredients
Finely chop the celery, red onion, and walnuts. Pecans or Almonds could be substituted for the walnuts.
Step 3. To Make The Chicken Salad
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, celery, red onion, walnuts, dried cranberries, mayonnaise, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Assemble The Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Spread cranberry mayo on one slice of bread or one side of a soft roll.
Top with a generous amount of chicken salad and lettuce. Cover with the remaining slice of bread.
Once the sandwiches are prepared serve them immediately. The chicken salad can also be stored in the refrigerator to stay chilled until used.
Tips and Tricks for Your Harvest Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Make-Ahead Magic:
- Prep ahead: Prepare the chicken salad and cranberry mayo in advance and store them in the refrigerator. This will save you time when assembling the sandwiches.
Ingredient Variations:
- Leftover chicken: Use leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken for a quick and easy meal.
- Cranberry sauce: Adjust the amount of cranberry sauce in the mayo to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Add-ins: Customize your chicken salad with additional ingredients like chopped apples, grapes, or toasted almonds.
- Spice it up: Add a little dijon mustard if you prefer a kick.
Serving Suggestions:
- Bread choice: Experiment with different types of bread, such as whole wheat, sourdough, or ciabatta.
- Toppings: Add lettuce, tomato, or avocado slices for a fresh twist.
- Side dishes: Serve with a side of potato chips, a fresh salad, or a bowl of soup.
Enjoy your delicious harvest chicken salad sandwiches!
xo, Jennifer
Harvest Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Cranberry Mayo
This delicious chicken salad recipe is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. It's great for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, or even a picnic.
Ingredients
- For the chicken salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the cranberry mayo:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- For the sandwiches:
- 8 slices bread
- Lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Make the cranberry mayo: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, cranberry sauce, and lemon juice. Stir until well combined.
- Make the chicken salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, celery, red onion, walnuts, dried cranberries, mayonnaise, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread cranberry mayo on one slice of bread. Top with a generous amount of chicken salad and a lettuce leaf. Cover with the remaining slice of bread.
- Enjoy! Serve immediately.
Notes
More Fall Flavors!
Pin for Later!
It looks delicious, Jennifer. I will have to give it a try.
This sounds so good, I love chicken salad and have never thought to add cranberries! Wanted to let you know that on our recent trip to New England, we visited The Collecter’s Eye antique store in Statham, and oh my goodness! I found some great items and the prices were so reasonable! Also found the churches you recommended to photograph in Kennebunkport. Thanks for sharing your visiting New England posts! It was so beautiful there!
Looks delish! You’ll have to make this next time you come, for Big Al! 😆
I’m not a fan of maple syrup. Can you suggest a substitute?
I tried it with and without and it tastes delish both ways. I’m not a huge maple fan other than on french toast and it gave just a hint of sweetness without really tasting “maple-y” I would suggest a squeeze of lemon juice to add brightness.
It’s yummy without the syrup too! I tested the recipe both ways. I would suggest a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten up the salad instead.
This looks good! Definitely going to try!