Keto Cranberry Chicken Salad has become my most-requested lunch recipe every November, and I keep making it through the entire winter because it is that satisfying. It comes together in about 15 minutes with no cooking required, and the combination of creamy dressing, crunchy mixed nuts, chewy cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese makes it feel festive without any extra effort. Only 4 grams of net carbs per serving means you can go back for seconds without a second thought.
There is something about cranberries that takes me straight back to my grandmother’s farmhouse kitchen after Thanksgiving. She would have dried cranberries, walnuts, and leftover turkey sitting out on the counter, and she had a way of turning those odds and ends into something that felt intentional and genuinely good. I started building this Keto Cranberry Chicken Salad from that same instinct — use what you have, add a little freshness, and make it worth sitting down for. The tomato basil goat cheese was my own addition, and it turned out to be the piece that tied the whole bowl together. This one is fast, filling, and festive. Time to grab your mixing bowl.
6 Reasons This Keto Cranberry Chicken Salad Works Every Time
I have tested a lot of low-carb lunch recipes over the years, and most either taste like a compromise or take more effort than a weekday allows. This high-protein cranberry chicken salad does neither. It uses ingredients you can keep stocked all season and comes together faster than anything else in my lunch rotation.
Here is why this recipe earns a regular spot:
- Only 4g net carbs per serving — This keto cranberry chicken salad fits into any low-carb or keto eating plan without careful portioning.
- 15-minute prep, no cooking required — Open, chop, mix, and serve. No stovetop or oven involved, which makes this genuinely weekday-friendly.
- Budget-friendly pantry base — Canned chicken breast keeps the cost low without sacrificing protein content. Each can delivers solid, consistent results.
- Ideal for meal prep — This salad holds up in the fridge for up to 5 days, which means one prep session covers lunches for the whole week.
- Endlessly customizable — Swap the nuts, change the cheese, add hardboiled eggs, or use leftover turkey from the holidays. The base adapts to what you have.
- Festive enough for company — The cranberries and mixed nuts give this salad a holiday look and feel that works on a party spread just as well as in a meal prep container.
What Goes Into This Keto Cranberry Chicken Salad
Every ingredient in this salad plays a specific role. Here is what you need and why it matters.
Canned chicken breast is the practical backbone of this recipe. I always drain it thoroughly and break it apart with a fork before mixing so the texture is consistent throughout. Leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey works just as well if you have it on hand.
Celery adds the crisp, fresh crunch that keeps every bite interesting. In my kitchen, I chop it fairly fine so it distributes evenly rather than showing up in large, uneven chunks.
Green onions bring a mild, slightly sharp bite that brightens the whole salad without overpowering the other flavors. I prefer green onions over red or white onion here because they are gentler and hold their texture well after a day or two in the fridge.
Mayonnaise and sour cream together form the creamy dressing base. The mayo gives richness and body, while the sour cream adds a slight tang that keeps the dressing from feeling heavy. I always use full-fat versions of both for the best texture and flavor.
Mustard powder is a small addition that makes a noticeable difference. It adds quiet warmth and depth that ties the dressing together without any mustard flavor taking over.
Fresh dill gives this salad its fresh, herby finish. I have found that fresh dill makes a real difference compared to dried here. Even one tablespoon lifts the whole bowl.
Unsweetened dried cranberries bring festive sweetness and a chewy texture that contrasts the creamy dressing. Make sure you are buying unsweetened to keep the carb count accurate.
Walnuts, pecans, and sliced almonds give this keto cranberry chicken salad a satisfying crunch and healthy fat content in every bite. I use a mix of all three for variety, but any combination works well.
Tomato basil goat cheese is the finishing touch that elevates this from a simple chicken salad to something genuinely special. I always crumble it on top rather than mixing it in so it stays visible and creamy rather than disappearing into the dressing.
How to Make Keto Cranberry Chicken Salad
This recipe comes together in one bowl with no heat required. Here is the method I use every time.
Step 1. Drain both cans of chicken breast thoroughly and add them to a large mixing bowl. Break the chicken apart with a fork into consistent pieces so the texture is even throughout the finished salad.
Step 2. Add the chopped celery and green onions to the bowl. I have found that chopping both fairly fine gives a better distribution of flavor in every spoonful.
Step 3. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard powder, and fresh dill. Stir well until the dressing coats all of the chicken and vegetables evenly.
Step 4. Add the unsweetened dried cranberries, walnuts, pecans, and sliced almonds. Fold them in gently so the nuts stay intact and do not get crushed into the dressing.
Step 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I always taste at this stage and adjust before serving because canned chicken varies in salt content between brands.
Step 6. Crumble the goat cheese on top of the finished salad rather than mixing it in. After testing this recipe many times, I have found that keeping the goat cheese on top preserves both its texture and its visual appeal.
Step 7. Serve immediately over a bed of lettuce, spread on keto-friendly bread, or portion into meal prep containers for the week ahead.
Making the Most of Leftovers
This salad is one of the best recipes I know for getting ahead on the week. The flavors actually improve after a night in the fridge as everything has time to settle together.
For refrigerator storage, transfer the salad to an airtight container as soon as you are done mixing. I typically store it for up to 5 days with no quality issues. If you are meal prepping for the week, divide the salad into individual containers right away so each lunch is ready to grab without any extra work on busy mornings.
One note on the goat cheese: if you are storing the salad for multiple days, consider adding the goat cheese fresh to each portion at serving time rather than storing it mixed in. This keeps the texture cleaner and the presentation looking its best through day five.
This keto cranberry chicken salad does not freeze well because the mayo-based dressing tends to separate after thawing. For best results, make only what you plan to eat within the 5-day window.
Complete Your Meal
This salad works as a standalone lunch, but a good pairing turns it into a proper spread. Here are my favorite ways to round out the meal:
- Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad with Homemade Maple Dressing — A beautiful companion salad that shares the cranberry and walnut flavor profile. Serve both together for a festive holiday lunch table.
- Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs — Another festive cranberry recipe that pairs naturally with this salad for a holiday-themed spread.
- Cottage Cheese Protein Bowl — A simple, high-protein side that rounds out the meal with extra creaminess and very few carbs.
- Spinach Egg Muffins — A quick protein-rich side that completes a full low-carb lunch plate without any extra cooking.
- Mediterranean Ground Turkey Bowls — A hearty, flavor-packed option for days when you want something more substantial alongside the salad.
- Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap — A great packable lunch companion for days when you want variety in your meal prep lineup.
FAQs
Yes, and I recommend it around the holidays. Shredded leftover turkey works well in this recipe and adds a slightly richer flavor than canned chicken.
Plain goat cheese, crumbled bleu cheese, or feta all work here. Feta gives a saltier, firmer crumble, while bleu cheese adds a bolder flavor. Either makes a good substitute.
Absolutely. The salad holds up well without the nuts. Add extra celery or chopped cucumber for crunch if you want to maintain that textural contrast.
Keto Cranberry Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Drain both cans of chicken breast thoroughly. Add to a large mixing bowl and break apart with a fork into consistent pieces.
- Add the chopped celery and green onions to the bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard powder, and fresh dill. Stir until the dressing coats all ingredients evenly.
- Fold in the unsweetened dried cranberries, walnuts, pecans, and sliced almonds gently so the nuts stay intact.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
- Crumble the goat cheese on top of the salad rather than mixing it in. Serve immediately or portion into meal prep containers.
