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Home » Recipes » Copycat Recipes

Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli

Published: Jun 10, 2022 · Modified: Apr 7, 2023 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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Text that says, "Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli." Above and below the text is an image of chicken salad with dried cranberries in it. Right by the scoop of chicken salad are crackers.

This copycat Chicken Salad Chick cranberry Kelli is a great way to bring one of your restaurant favorites home. It goes great on toast, with crackers, or on a salad.

Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli chicken salad on a plate with cracker around it

Chicken Salad Chick is one of my favorite restaurants to go to for lunch. I love to get a scoop of their delicious chicken salad on wheat toast with one of their delicious sugar cookies.

Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli chicken salad on a wooden tray with cracker around it. There is a bowl of dried cranberries (Craisins) in the background

This recipe is pretty easy to replicate at home. I recommend that you use chicken tenderloins for the closest taste but you can also use chicken breast.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients needed
  • Equipment
  • How to make
  • How to serve
  • How to store leftovers
  • Tips
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli

Ingredients needed

ingredients needed to make Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli chicken salad

For this chicken salad, you will need:

  • Chicken tenderloins: I have seen other copycat recipes use rotisserie chicken or chicken breast (which you can substitute if needed) but I think chicken tenderloins give you the closest taste to the original.
  • Water: To boil the chicken in.
  • Celery: You’ll need one large rib of celery, finely diced.
  • Mayonnaise: I used Duke’s and I have heard a rumor that is what Chicken Salad Chick uses.
  • Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper: To season the chicken salad with.
  • Dried cranberries and slivered almonds: These go in last. You can always add more of each, if needed.

Equipment

You will need a hand or stand mixer (or you can use two forks) to shred the chicken. You will need a food processor for the celery or you can dice it finely with a knife.

How to make

step by step guide on how to make Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli chicken salad

To make this cranberry Kelli chicken salad, begin by adding water to a large pot. Add the chicken tenderloins into the water. Bring the water to a boil.

Once the water has reached boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overcook or the chicken will be rubbery. The chicken should register at 165 degrees with a meat thermometer. You will also be able to tell if the chicken is done when you go to shred it.

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the water and let it cool. Use two forks or use a stand or hand mixer to shred the chicken in a large bowl. I find that using a mixer is best because it is very quick and it helps get the chicken very fine like the original recipe.

Next, run the celery rib through your food processor until it is finely diced.

Add the mayonnaise, celery, and seasonings to the shredded chicken. Stir well. Add the cranberries and slivered almonds and then stir again.

How to serve

You can serve this chicken salad on crackers, on a green salad, or on toasted bread. It is a very versatile recipe.

How to store leftovers

Store any leftovers in your fridge in an airtight container.

Tips

  • You can substitute rotisserie or chicken breast, but chicken tenderloins will give you the closest taste to Chicken Salad Chick.
  • I have heard (but cannot confirm) that Duke’s mayonnaise is used in the original. I used Duke’s when testing the recipe.

Other copycat Chicken Salad Chick recipes:

  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Lauryn’s Lemon Basil
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Pimento Cheese
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Dixie Chick
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Sassy Scotty
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Jalapeno Holly
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Kickin’ Kay Lynne
Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli in a white dish with crackers

Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli

Audrey
This copycat Chicken Salad Chick cranberry Kelli is a great way to bring one of your restaurant favorites home. It goes great on toast, with crackers, or on a salad.
5 from 16 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 495 kcal

Equipment

  • hand mixer or stand mixer to shred the chicken
  • food processor for the celery

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken tenderloins this yields about 2 cups of shredded chicken
  • 1 large celery rib finely diced
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise I recommend using Duke's for the closest taste
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons dried cranberries or add more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons slivered almonds or add more to taste

Instructions
 

  • Begin by adding water to a large pot. Add the chicken tenderloins into the water. Bring the water to a boil.
  • the pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overcook or the chicken will be rubbery. The chicken should register at 165 degrees with a meat thermometer. You will also be able to tell if the chicken is done when you go to shred it.
  • Once the chicken is done, remove it from the water and let it cool. Use two forks or use a stand or hand mixer to shred the chicken in a large bowl. I find that using a mixer is best because it is very quick and it helps get the chicken very fine like the original recipe.
  • Next, run the celery rib through your food processor until it is finely diced.
  • Add the mayonnaise, celery, and seasonings to the shredded chicken. Stir well. Add the cranberries and slivered almonds and then stir again.
  • Serve over salad, toasted bread, or with crackers.

Notes

Store leftovers an airtight container, this chicken salad will last four days in the refrigerator.
 
You can also substitute chicken breast or shredded rotisserie chicken but I find chicken tenderloins give this recipe the closest taste to CSC.
 
Nutritional information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 495kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 26gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 472mgPotassium: 496mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 62IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. Na says

    April 09, 2025 at 10:38 am

    5 stars
    Amazing found it because my husband loves this salad at the restaurant. He said it came out better than the original. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Allison says

    December 23, 2023 at 5:03 pm

    I found this recipe for my mom bc she was looking to make her own chicken salad and the Cranberry Kelli is her favorite. She says this tastes pretty darn close and is delicious! Printing this and saving it for later 🙂

    Reply
  3. Traci says

    February 21, 2023 at 12:22 pm

    5 stars
    What is a serving? I track my calories, fat and carbs and would like to know. I had this chicken salad at the restaurant and this recipe is as good.

    Reply
    • Audrey says

      February 21, 2023 at 1:27 pm

      I think the easiest way would be to split the batch up into four equal parts. 1/4 of the total batch is the serving.

      Reply
      • Keli says

        April 21, 2024 at 1:07 pm

        Do you think I could substitute canned chicken breast?

        Reply
        • Audrey says

          April 22, 2024 at 10:03 am

          Yes, you can.

          Reply
  4. Tyanne says

    June 20, 2022 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    I love the cranberry ingredient! Definitely different than most chicken salads.

    Reply
    • Audrey says

      June 20, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      I like the addition of cranberries too! Such a yummy twist.

      Reply
  5. Pete says

    June 20, 2022 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    Love this, so easy to make, and Dukes Mayo is the best!

    Reply
    • Audrey says

      June 20, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      Thank you so much, Pete!

      Reply
5 from 16 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Audrey in a red dress holding her young son

Hi, I'm Audrey!

I’m a busy mom who loves to cook, bake, and craft with her kids. Here, you will find tons of recipes like easy weeknight dinners, copycat recipes, cookies, as well as lots of fun craft ideas for kids.

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