Enjoy a refreshing Cape Cod Chicken Salad with crisp greens, tangy cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and tender chicken. A deliciously healthy, easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

A vibrant Cape Cod Chicken Salad with fresh greens, cranberries, walnuts, and grilled chicken.
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Cape Cod Chicken Salad is a delightful combination of fresh, crisp greens, tender grilled chicken, crunchy walnuts, and sweet, tart cranberries.

The salad is dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, enhancing the flavors of the ingredients. It’s perfect for a light, yet filling meal, offering a balance of textures and flavors.

This salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a healthy option for lunch or dinner. The addition of walnuts provides a crunchy contrast to the juicy chicken. A versatile dish, it’s easily customizable with other fresh vegetables or toppings.

If you love Costco Cape Cod Chicken Salad, you will love this recipe.

If you love a great sandwich recipes, try my recipe for Arby’s Copycat Reuben Sandwich, Air Fryer Chicken Biscuit Sandwich, or Air Fryer Muffaletta Sandwich.

Cape Cod Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, walnuts, and cranberries on a bed of fresh greens.

What Is Cape Cod Chicken Salad?

Cape Cod Chicken Salad is a vibrant dish featuring grilled chicken, crunchy walnuts, and sweet dried cranberries over fresh greens.

Often dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, this salad combines savory, sweet, and nutty flavors. It’s a healthy and satisfying meal, perfect for lunch or dinner. With its variety of textures and flavors, it’s a refreshing and hearty option for salad lovers.

If you love easy chicken salad recipes, try my recipe for Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad, Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Salad, Zoe’s Chicken Salad Recipe, or Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Fresh and Light: The crisp veggies and tender grilled chicken offer a refreshing meal that’s satisfying yet light.
  • Crunchy Texture: Walnuts add a delicious crunch that complements the salad’s flavors and makes each bite exciting.
  • Sweet and Savory Balance: The sweet cranberries perfectly balance the savory elements, giving the salad a unique taste.
  • Healthy and Nutrient-Rich: Packed with lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber, this salad is a nutritious choice for any meal.

Ingredients Needed

How To Make Cape Cod Chicken Salad
  • Grilled Chicken Breast: Tender, juicy grilled chicken adds a lean protein base for this delicious salad.
  • Mixed Greens: A blend of fresh greens like spinach and arugula creates a light, healthy foundation.
  • Cranberries: Dried cranberries bring a touch of sweetness to contrast with the savory flavors.
  • Walnuts: Crunchy walnuts add texture and a rich, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
  • Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion gives the salad a slight sharpness that balances the sweetness of the cranberries.
  • Apple: Crisp, sliced apples provide freshness and a subtle sweetness to enhance the overall flavor profile.

How To Make Cape Cod Chicken Salad

Grilled or baked chicken breasts sliced into strips or cubes for Cape Cod Chicken Salad.
  • Step One: Grill or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked, then slice them into strips or cubes.
  • Step Two: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced apples, red onion, and dried cranberries.
  • Step Three: Toss in chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
  • Step Four: Use a tangy vinaigrette or honey mustard dressing, adjusting to taste.
  • Step Five: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Enjoy immediately for a fresh, satisfying meal.
"Dressing drizzled over Cape Cod Chicken Salad and tossed gently for a fresh, satisfying meal."

Cape Cod Chicken Salad Recipe Tips

  • Grill or Bake the Chicken: For extra flavor, season your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic before cooking.
  • Customize the Dressing: Use your favorite vinaigrette or a homemade honey mustard for a sweeter option.
  • Add Seasonal Touches: Swap out apples for pears in fall for a cozy twist.
  • Meal Prep: You can prep the salad ingredients ahead of time and toss together when ready to serve. Keep dressing separate until serving to maintain freshness!

Storing

  • Storing Cape Cod Chicken Salad: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
  • Freezing Cape Cod Chicken Salad: It’s not recommended to freeze this salad, as the ingredients like apples, lettuce, and dressing do not freeze well and may lose texture.
Fresh and vibrant Cape Cod Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, mixed greens, sliced apples, red onion, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts, topped with a tangy dressing.

What To Serve With Cape Cod Chicken Salad

Cape Cod Chicken Salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides! You can serve it with crispy breadsticks, buttery garlic rolls, or even a warm, toasted baguette.

A light soup, such as a tomato basil or a creamy potato soup, complements the fresh flavors of the salad. For a heartier side, try roasted sweet potatoes or a quinoa side dish for added texture.

Don’t forget a refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade to round out the meal!

Cape Cod Chicken Salad Recipe Faqs

Can I use different nuts in the salad? Yes, you can swap walnuts with pecans, almonds, or cashews based on your preference.

Can I make this salad ahead of time? You can prep the ingredients in advance, but it’s best to dress the salad just before serving to maintain freshness.

Is this salad gluten-free? The salad is naturally gluten-free, but be sure to check your dressing and other ingredients for gluten.

Can I use rotisserie chicken? Yes, rotisserie chicken is a convenient option for this recipe and adds extra flavor.

A colorful Cape Cod Chicken Salad featuring grilled chicken, apples, mixed greens, walnuts, cranberries, and a tangy dressing, served in a bowl.

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A vibrant Cape Cod Chicken Salad with fresh greens, cranberries, walnuts, and grilled chicken.

Cape Cod Chicken Salad

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Enjoy a fresh and flavorful Cape Cod Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, mixed greens, apples, walnuts, cranberries, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad is a satisfying and healthy meal.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Grilled Chicken Breast
  • 4 cups Mixed Greens, spinach, arugula, or a mix
  • 1/3 cup Cranberries, dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup Walnuts, chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium Apple, sliced (like a Granny Smith or Fuji for a balance of sweet and tart)

Instructions

  • Grill or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked, then slice them into strips or cubes.
  • In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced apples, red onion, and dried cranberries.
  • Toss in chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
  • Use a tangy vinaigrette or honey mustard dressing, adjusting to taste.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
  • Enjoy immediately for a fresh, satisfying meal.

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Tongs

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 19gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 48mgPotassium: 231mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 255IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

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