When I’m in the mood for something that’s on the lighter side, I used to debate between a sandwich and a salad. Finally, it dawned on me that I could easily combine the two and make something even better: a cranberry chicken salad wrap.
I love a good chicken salad wrap. It makes lunch so much more enjoyable than a boring sandwich. Or a light dinner.
Recently, I had the most amazing wrap at a cafe (go figure, right?) and it was so good, I just had to recreate the recipe at home. It took a little experimenting but I finally found the perfect combination of ingredients.
Here’s my new cranberry chicken salad wrap recipe and is it ever delicious!
Healthy, Simple Lunch
This Chicken Salad Wrap recipe has chicken, slivered almonds, celery, and dried cranberries for added flavor. It’s quick and easy to prepare, making it a delicious way to enjoy a healthy, filling lunch.
When you have good food readily available, it’s much easier to make healthy eating choices. It really does make choosing filling, healthy foods easier when it’s already made and ready to go!
This Cranberry Chicken Salad Wrap recipe is perfect as I work toward eating healthier and feeding my family more protein-filled, nutritious meals.
Protein-Filled Lunch
One of the main reasons why this cranberry chicken salad is such a family-favorite here is that it keeps us all nice and full until dinner! This is largely thanks to the high-protein content of this meal.
This recipe includes chicken breast, which offers an incredible 43 grams of protein per cup! The slivered almonds are the icing on the cake, so to speak, with a 1/2 cup offering almost 12 grams of protein.
In addition to the protein, there’s fiber in this cranberry chicken salad too thanks to the crunchy celery addition.
Chicken Salad: the Perfect Make-Ahead Meal
I’m sure other busy mamas can relate—by the time lunch rolls around, the last thing I want to do is stand and cook a meal from scratch. It’s way too easy to reach for whatever is already made (or super fast to put together), so I decided to make sure I always had a healthy, filling option ready to go.
I make a batch every week and store the chicken salad in the fridge where it’s easy for both my husband and myself to make a delicious lunch whenever we need to.
Unlike some foods, this cranberry chicken salad doesn’t get soggy or watery tasting. I almost think it tastes better once it has had a day or two in the fridge to let the flavors meld together!
How to Serve the Chicken Salad
This recipe is totally versatile. You can enjoy it in so many different ways! Here are a few ideas:
- As a wrap. This salad makes an awesome chicken salad wrap! You can use whole wheat tortillas, gluten-free wraps, or even something fun like a jicama wrap (I have seen them in the refrigerated section at Trader Joes if you are lucky enough to be near one)
- As a salad. True to its name, this cranberry chicken salad is yummy on top of a bed of lettuce.
- On crackers. If you want an extra crunch to your lunch, try scooping this onto your cracker of choice. This can be an easy lunch to pack for kids too!
- With veggies. Here’s another favorite way to eat this chicken salad. I scoop it into celery, or bell peppers, or eat as a dip with baby carrots.
- In a pita. Scoop your chicken salad into a pita and enjoy!
How to Make Cranberry Chicken Salad Wraps
Okay, by now you are probably starving. Let’s talk about how you can easily make this dish—you’ll just need a few minutes to throw it together!
Chicken Salad Wrap Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cooked and shredded
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
about 1 cup of mayonnaise (use more or less than this recommended amount to your taste)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
6 whole wheat tortilla wraps*
*or serve with one of the options above.
Directions:
Shred or chop the cooked chicken breast and put it into a large bowl.
Next, add the dried cranberries, celery, and slivered almonds and toss together.
Add the mayonnaise and lemon juice and mix until well combined. You may want to add more or less mayo, depending on your taste.
Next, spoon some of the cranberry chicken mixture into your whole wheat tortilla wraps.
Then, simply wrap and enjoy!
Store leftover chicken salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Remember, don’t make the wraps until you are ready to eat it, as you don’t want a soggy tortilla shell.
Mmm…now doesn’t this cranberry chicken salad wrap sound like a tasty lunch?
Print
Cranberry Chicken Salad Wrap
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
A yummy wrap with chicken, slivered almonds, celery, and dried cranberries for a new twist. It’s quick and easy to prepare, making it a delicious way to enjoy a healthy, protein-filled lunch.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cooked and shredded
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins)
- 3/4 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- about 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 6 whole wheat tortilla wraps or serve on lettuce or spinach
Instructions
- Shred the chicken breast and put into a large bowl. Add the craisins, celery, and almonds and toss together. Add the mayonnaise and lemon juice and mix until combined. You may want to add a little more or LESS mayo, depending on your taste. Spoon into a whole wheat flour tortilla, wrap, and serve.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge.
Notes
Note: For a gluten-free or Paleo option, serve on a bed of lettuce.
Pin the image below to Pinterest to save the recipe for later!
Helga says
I love the cranberry/chicken combo in sandwiches!
Carol Scott says
God bless you my sister I believe God directed me to this sit, I am a sixty six year old great grandmother and not technology savvy
So can you give me the recipe, I made ip my mind on 2017 to change the way I eat. Thank you in advance. Carol Scott
Diane says
Carol, right under the picture of the wrap it says “Read More”. Just click on that and you will find more pics and the recipe. Hope this helps.
Diane
Alexia says
This looks SO good and doesn’t seem like it would take long to make. I love cranberries!
Tammy S says
Wow this looks and sounds delicious! I love how easy it is to make. I agree with you about wanting my chicken to be just chicken. Not a bunch of nasty stuff I can’t even pronounce. Thanks for the recipe!
Yolanda Crisostomo says
Wow! This sounds like it would be also good wrapped with lettuce :)))
Nichol says
Cranberry is perfect with chicken. I’d also do a lettuce wrap and use Greek yogurt 🙂 This looks delicious!
Seth says
Whoa, this looks good. Can’t even compare to the wraps I see that are pre-made in restaurants or grocery stores.
Ivana Jankovic says
This look so delicious! I have to try it! I’ll make this, i promise 🙂
Kesha says
I love chicken salad! I can’t wait to try this!
Amy @ {Life to the Full} says
LOVE this recipe!
Amy Adams says
We usually have wraps in the summer but this looks absolutely delicious and I think I would like to add this to my dinners with a side dish of warm soup. Yum!
Natalie F says
Sooooooo good. Thank you!
Colleen J soon to be W says
Love all the things you share. I am about to become a mom of a nine-year-old boy. While I love kids and have had a number of them around (with my late husband) we didn’t have kids of our own – married late. However, since he passed away, I have met the most wonderful Christian man. His son has been without a mom for 4+ years (died from cancer). It will be a challenge to be a 24/7 mom, but I know with God’s help it will be amazing. So excited and nervous! Please keep me in your prayers. And please, keep sharing everything including the great recipes!
Erika says
Thanks so much, Colleen! I will definitely be praying for you and your new family. What a wonderful step of faith. It sounds like your new husband and son are very blessed to have you. Thanks for sharing with me.
Lizett says
Thank you! I made this today. My husband and I loved it. (He’s super hard to please)
Dante Harp says
Very good! I would only use 1/2 cup of mayonnaise next time.
Tracey says
How did you cook your chicken, did you just bake it? Did you add any seasonings to it? This recipe looks delish and I can’t wait to try it!
Erika says
Hi Tracey, I usually boil it over medium heat to cook my chicken. No seasonings, though you certainly could if you prefer.
LaurieH says
I would use leftovers from rotisserie chicken. It’s so nice to have dried cranberries and almonds sold as a salad topper when you are in a hurry! I don’t like a lot of Mayo either.
Paulette Szymanski says
Can you tell me how much 1 serving is? 1/2 cup?
Erika says
Hi Paulette! To be honest, I don’t usually measure, but I think 1/2 cup is fairly accurate.
Gracelynn says
Hello! I stumbled upon this recipe via Pinterest, and just tried it today. It was delicious. I was a little hesitant, as I have never made chicken salad before, but it turned out great. Thanks!
However, when I first got to this page, I only read the recipe instructions. I went back to read the entire blog post and noticed you made some comments about poultry farming.
As a farmer in Illinois, who also raises chickens, I can assure you all poultry is raised without the use of hormones. It is actually illegal to use hormones in pork and poultry. Regardless of whether the packaging says “Hormone Free” or not, you can rest assured that their are no added hormones in the chicken you purchase at the grocery store. For many, this is simply a marketing tool.
I have a fairly new blog (only 3 or so posts), but if you are ever curious about various farming practices, I’d love to have a conversation! Feel free to check it out anytime and ask any questions! http://www.farmersgrace.wordpress.com
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Pam M says
Very excited to try this recipe. However, I would like to note that NO farmer gives their chickens added hormones or steroids. It’s against FDA regulations and is incredibly inefficient. The increase in the size of chickens has been accomplished through genetic selection (meaning the chickens that were larger were the ones selected to continue breeding). Some producers have latched onto the “hormone/steroid/antibiotic free” thing as a marketing ploy to capitalize on folks who want to get healthier. You can look it up. I’m an agriculture professor just trying to spread a little truth. Have a great day!
O says
Salt?
Sabrina says
I add a little stone ground Dijon mustard & a pinch of kosher salt as well. It is amazing how much additional flavor those two things add. This is also great over an arugula salad blend if you are watching your calories.
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Erika says
Sabrina, that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Sybil says
With so much mayo, what is the calorie count
Erika says
That depends entirely on the mayo brand, Sybil. 🙂 You can plug in your preferred mayo along with the remaining ingredients for this recipe into any calorie calculator and determine the calories. You can also decrease the mayonnaise in this recipe to your preference.
Meilyn says
I definitely will try this again, with Greek yogurt instead of mayo. I was able to take a few bites before I felt sick to my stomach – All that we could taste was the mayo. It looked amazing though…
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Erika says
Oh my gosh, Meilyn! I can’t believe you actually felt SICK to your stomach! I’d definitely throw THAT mayo away. EWW!! The mayo can really make or break this recipe. A good mayonnaise brand you like is definitely a must here and everyone has their own favorites. But it sounds like the greek yogurt is a good option for you. ?
Jan Cornelsen says
I also love this sandwich filling! I change mine up now and then, for some variety. I sometimes add a bit of siracha sauce to kick it up some; other times I add some ground or fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme. YUM! Let’s keep eating healthy!!
★★★★★
Erika says
I love the idea of adding a touch of sriracha sauce, Jan. Thanks for sharing!
Kim says
Made this yesterday, We made sandwiches with it. Delicious. I left the lemon juice out, but that was a personal preference. My husband said it was a keeper.
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Holly Hill says
Hi Erika! Thank you for posting this! I’ve been looking for some simple, healthy, delicious lunches for my hungry boys. This looks like it’ll be perfect! I’m so excited to try it. We just picked up the ingredients- and will be trying this for lunch next week! Even my pickiest one says it looks yummy!
pauline morris says
I MADE THIS YESTERDAY, VERY EASY AND SOOOOO GOOD!!!!! AND WILL HAVE AGAIN EVERYONE L-O-V-E-D IT!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
★★★★★
Katrina says
My husband told me 5 times while eating this salad that I needed to save the recipe. He loved it.
★★★★★
Erika says
Awesome! I love reading comments like this!
Jordan says
I substituted greek yogurt for the mayo and just as yummy! 🙂
★★★★
Erika says
Great to hear, Jordan!