Healthy Honey Chicken Salad With Cranberries


Last Updated: Feb, 15, 2026 by Mimi Council | This post may contain affiliate links.

This Healthy Honey Chicken Salad with Cranberries uses chicken breasts instead of the traditional canned chicken. It also includes red onion, cabbage, celery, cranberries, less mayo and the addition of honey for a healthy take on classic chicken salad!

If you like easy lunch ideas, try Tomato Basil Soft Tacos, Avocado Tuna Salad With No Mayo, Air Fryer Loaded Garlic Bread, or Yellow Curry Chicken With Bone Broth.

healthy honey chicken salad in a bowl on a board with crackers, nuts and strawberries.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Healthy Honey Chicken Salad With Cranberries
  • Ready In: 45 minutes
  • Makes: 6 servings
  • Main Ingredients: chicken breasts, mayo, cranberries, honey
  • Flavor Profile: crunchy, sweet chicken salad with a little tang
  • Dietary Info: gluten free, eggless
  • Difficulty: Easy!
  • Why You’ll Love It: sweet twist on a

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Light & Fresh: I love this Healthy Honey Chicken Salad with Cranberries as it uses less mayo and it has the addition of honey and cranberries.
  • Twist on a Classic: This is a light and sweet twist on the classic chicken salad as I use honey and cranberries!
  • Snack or Meal: You can serve this with crackers, nuts, and fruit for a nice little snack board or make a classic sandwich with it for an easy lunch. I love serving with Homemade Sourdough Discard Whole Wheat Crackers.
  • Gluten Free: Naturally gluten free!

Ingredients

individual ingredients for healthy honey chicken salad laid out against a white background.
  • Chicken: I use organic boneless skinless chicken breasts. But, chicken thighs or drumsticks also work, you can just remove the meat from the bones. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken for this too!
  • Purple Cabbage: This provides a crunch and vibrant color to this chicken salad. Green cabbage also works!
  • Mayo: I use organic mayo with olive oil as opposed to canola oil to keep this free of seed oils.
  • Raw Honey: I love using organic raw honey as it has not been heated, which means it contains more nutrients.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Easy Substitutions

  • While I'm baking chicken for this, you can also use leftover chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken.
  • If you want to replace the chicken with tuna you can do that too!
  • If you don't have dried cranberries, try raisins!
  • You can use diced bell peppers in place of cabbage for a similar crunch and flavor.

How to Make Healthy Honey Chicken Salad with Cranberries

raw chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper on a baking sheet on a marble countertop.
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Add salt and pepper.
cooked chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper on a baking sheet on a marble countertop.
  1. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is done and reaches 165°F. Allow to cool completely.
ingredients for healthy honey chicken salad with cranberries in a large bowl on a gray countertop.
  1. Chop chicken into cubes and add into a large bowl. Add in the sliced celery, red onion, cranberries, purple cabbage, mayo, honey, and mustard.
healthy honey chicken salad mixed together with a spatula in a large bowl on a gray countertop.
  1. Stir to combine completely and add salt and pepper to taste.
healthy honey chicken salad in a bowl on a snack board with crackers, nuts, and strawberries.
  1. Serve on bread as a sandwich, on toast, in a bowl with crackers or just eat on its own!

Healthy Honey Chicken Salad with Cranberries FAQ's

Can I use canned chicken for chicken salad?

Absolutely, you can use canned chicken if you prefer. You can even use leftover rotisserie chicken too.

Can I use tuna?

Yes, if you want to use canned tuna you can also do that.

How should I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

healthy honey chicken salad in a bowl on a snack board with crackers, nuts, and strawberries.

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healthy honey chicken salad in a bowl on a board with crackers, nuts and strawberries.

Healthy Honey Chicken Salad with Cranberries

Mimi Council
This healthy honey chicken salad with cranberries can be eaten as a snack or on top of bread or toast for a meal. Try making a snack plate with fruit, nuts, and crackers!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Makes 6 servings
Calories 182 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 stalks celery (sliced)
  • 2 slices red onion (diced)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped purple cabbage
  • 3 tablespoons mayo
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet parchment paper.
  • Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Add salt and pepper. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is done and reaches 165°F. Allow to cool completely.
  • Chop chicken into cubes and add into a large bowl.
  • Add in the sliced celery, red onion, cranberries, purple cabbage, mayo, honey, and mustard and stir to combine completely. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve on bread as a sandwich, on toast, in a bowl with crackers or just eat on its own!

Notes

Tips
  • While I'm baking chicken for this, you can also use leftover chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken.
  • If you want to replace the chicken with tuna you can do that too!
  • If you don't have dried cranberries, try raisins!
  • You can use diced bell peppers in place of cabbage for a similar crunch and flavor.
High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 16gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 165mgPotassium: 323mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 124IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.5mg
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One response to “Healthy Honey Chicken Salad With Cranberries”

  1. Mimi Council says:

    5 stars
    Love this lighter take on the classic chicken salad!

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