Cape Cod Chicken Salad Recipe: 15-Minute Picnic Meal

If you’re looking for a cranberry chicken salad recipe that will blow your mind… look no further. We’ve made this Cape Cod Chicken Salad monthly for years, ever since we recreated it from our favorite bagel deli in the neighborhood (it has the best flavor!). As a cousin to the equally delicious apple and grape-filled Chicken Waldorf salad, this delicious salad is perfect for a picnic, packed lunch, or any outdoor outing. Whether you’re headed to the park, the beach, a family outing, or even tailgating, this meal is super easy to pack and enjoy on the go. 

This is also commonly called “New England Chicken Salad” if you’re looking for that, This Cape Cod version is a flavorful twist on the traditional chicken salad but with cranberries, pecans and poppy seeds added. I love it so much more than the original chicken salad. 

I also included easy (tested!) substitutions below to make this recipe, gluten-free, vegan, WW friendly, and low carb. 

Ingredients

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken (We keep the Costco version of shredded chicken on hand for this).
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/4 cup diced red onion

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups mayo
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional Sandwich Ingredients: 

Serves: 8

Instructions

1. Into a large bowl, add your chopped cooked chicken.
2. Add in your diced celery, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and diced red onions.
3. In a smaller bowl, mix mayonnaise, honey, and poppy seeds to create a creamy dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and season with salt and black pepper.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Now, let’s talk about some (tested!) fun variations for every diet of this classic Cape Cod Chicken Salad recipe. Because everybody has different preferences and some people are on a medically restrictive diet, If you’re like me and just use rotisserie chicken or even canned chicken (it sounds gross, but trust me, it’s pretty tasty and a great backup meal), or the shredded chicken from Costco, you can whip this up in just 15 minutes and meal prep it for the next 2-3 days. 

Variations for Vegan/Low Fodmap/Keto/WW/Low Calorie Diet

1. Keto or low-Carb Option: Swap out the honey for 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to keep it keto-friendly.
2. Low FODMAP: Use green onions (or chives) instead of red onions, and ensure the mayo is free of high-FODMAP ingredients (you can use the Fig App to check for Fodmap-free commercial product and brands). 
3. Vegan: Use Hellman’s vegan mayo instead, and buy Butler’s Soy Curls here (they’re hard to find in stores but they’re AMAZING as a substitute for diced chicken – 4 out of 4 of my non-vegan besties will happily eat these in place of chicken – which is the highest form of praise there is because they truly hate vegan food. I think Butler’s soy curls taste exactly like chicken and can’t figure out why they don’t carry them in every store that sells impossible burgers. Butler’s soy curls come dehydrated, so to use them- you just pour warm water over them and let them rehydrate for 10 minutes while you chop the rest of the ingredients. 
4. WW (Weight Watchers): Use half fat-free Greek yogurt (or low-fat vanilla greek yogurt if you can spare the points) and half fat-free mayo. This will cut down the points, making it a guilt-free option. For those tracking recipes, this version is about 3 WW points per serving (not counting the bread if you make this a sandwich). 

Nutritional Value and Tips

This Cape Cod Chicken Salad is intensely good, and there’s a lot of different views of what makes a healthy meal (all organic? Whole foods? Low Carb? Low Calorie? Vegan?), But I’m including available nutrient data from Happy Forks below (note: they have a recipe analyzer that can do this to track recipes you find online) so you can get an idea of nutrition based on the recipe listed above (I didn’t do this for all of the variations like Vegan, Keto etc, but you can use their recipe analyzer to make the substitutions that you used to update it). Note: I calculated daily values using all-white chicken breast with just the chicken salad, so if you use chicken thighs, it may be slightly higher. And adding things like whole grain bread to make a sandwich would also increase the calories. 

Picnic Perfection

One of the best parts about this chicken salad is how easy it is to pack for a picnic or any outdoor adventure. Just portion it into single-serving containers or even make sandwiches using whole-grain bread. It’s a delicious recipe that’s versatile enough to serve in lettuce wraps or on crackers as a spread. For a light summer meal, pair it with some fresh fruit or a simple green salad.

This Cape Cod Chicken Salad also stands out because of its unique flavor profile. The poppy seeds add a subtle crunch, while the honey brings a delightful sweetness that balances the savory elements perfectly. It’s an authentic Cape Cod chicken salad recipe that stays true to the traditional flavors of the northeastern United States.

​Our Fresh Chicken Hack 

At first glance, this recipe may seem like you need to cook chicken before you even get started- but you’re looking at it all wrong! You can buy already-cooked white meat chicken in bulk at Costco for ridiculous prices, store it in 1-cup bags in the freezer to quickly thaw, and use it when you need it (we have a ton of recipes that we use here with precooked chicken breasts if you want other easy ideas). If you don’t use Costco- you can also use canned chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or you could bulk cook chicken breast in an instant pot with pineapple juice (freeze the extra for next time). 

Cape Cod Chicken Salad Recipe: 15-Minute Picnic Meal

 

This creamy Cape Cod Chicken Salad is a monthly staple in our house. It’s our go-to for tailgating, beach trips, RVing, and even packed lunches for work.

Author: Rosemarie Groner

Recipe type: Picnic

Cuisine: American

Serves: 8 Servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken (We keep the Costco version of shredded chicken on hand for this).
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• Dressing Ingredients:
• 1½ cups mayo
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional Sandwich Ingredients:
• Bread
• Lettuce

Instructions

1. Into a large bowl, add your chopped cooked chicken.
2. Add in your diced celery, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and diced red onions.
3. In a smaller bowl, mix mayonnaise, honey, and poppy seeds to create a creamy dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and season with salt and black pepper.
5. Serve and enjoy!

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re making this for a family outing, a quick meal at home, or packing it up for a day at the beach, this Cape Cod Chicken Salad is bound to become a staple in your recipe rotation. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and adaptable for various dietary needs. So, next time you’re looking for a meal that’s both delicious and convenient, give this salad a try. And don’t forget to share your own version and recipe ideas – I’d love to hear how you make this delicious salad your own!

Happy eating, and enjoy your next picnic with this fantastic Cape Cod Chicken Salad!