Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad

Short answer: Michigan cherry chicken salad is chopped cooked chicken mixed with dried tart cherries, celery, toasted pecans and red onion in a lemony mayonnaise and Greek yogurt dressing. It takes 15 minutes with leftover or rotisserie chicken and makes 4 to 6 servings.

Cherry chicken salad is a Northern Michigan lunch staple, the kind you find at cafés and church luncheons all over cherry country. Dried tart cherries give every bite a sweet-tart pop against the creamy dressing and crunchy pecans.

At a glance

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook time: none with cooked chicken

• Makes: about 4 cups, 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped cooked chicken (about 1 pound, or one rotisserie chicken)

• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries

• 1/2 cup diced celery (about 1 large stalk)

• 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

• 2 tablespoons finely minced red onion

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the pecans. Toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until fragrant. Let them cool.

2. Make the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon, salt and pepper.

3. Combine. Add the chicken, dried cherries, celery, pecans and red onion. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

4. Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the cherries soften slightly and the flavors blend. Taste and adjust the salt before serving.

Ways to serve it

• On a buttery croissant or toasted whole-grain bread

• In lettuce cups or over mixed greens

• With crackers as a party appetizer

• Stuffed into a halved avocado or tomato

Frequently asked questions

How long does cherry chicken salad keep?

Up to 3 days covered in the refrigerator. For the crunchiest pecans, stir them in just before serving.

Can I make it without mayonnaise?

Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with more Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter dressing.

What can I use instead of pecans?

Walnuts or sliced almonds work well. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seeds.

Want more? Browse all our cherry recipes or get the free cherry cookbook.

About the author: Andy LaPointe founded NationalCherryMonth.com and co-founded Traverse Bay Farms, a family-owned Northern Michigan tart cherry company, in 2001.