Orange Cashew Chicken Salad uses rotisserie chicken, roasted cashews, and pecans, along with a touch of orange zest and juice. It's simply the best chicken salad, ever!
*Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links where I can earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
My recipe for Orange Cashew Chicken Salad was inspired by a cashew chicken salad I'd had while out to lunch.
I loved it so much that I had to come home and try and recreate it just as soon as I possibly could!
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making orange cashew chicken salad is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
For delicious nuts, candy, chocolate, dried fruits, baking supplies, and gifts, Oh! Nuts is a store not to be missed!!
This recipe was originally shared in 2015. This post has been updated with additional information, including a printable recipe card along with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- rotisserie chicken (about 4 cups, boned and chopped)
- oranges
- shallots
- celery
- roasted and lightly salted cashews, chopped
- pecans, chopped
- mayonnaise
- honey
- dried cranberries
- fresh tarragon, chopped
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large mixing bowl
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- citrus zester
- citrus juicer
- measuring cups and spoons
- nut chopper (optional)
- air-tight containers (for storage)
- plastic wrap
How long does this chicken salad take from start to finish?
By using rotisserie chicken and prepared chopped nuts, this chicken salad will be ready to eat in under 15 minutes.
However, for better flavor and for the ingredients to marry, I like to refrigerate this cashew chicken salad for at least 1 hour before serving.
Delicious options for serving chicken salad:
- wrapped in butter lettuce leaves like a chicken salad taco
- scooped onto a salad
- wrapped in flour tortillas
- spread on crackers
- spread on croissants
- scooped onto baked potatoes
- served in mini phyllo cups as an appetizer
- spread on toasted garlic bread
- straight off the spoon 😉
How long will this chicken salad keep in the refrigerator?
If kept in an air-tight container, this cashew chicken salad will last for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
Can the nuts be left out of this chicken salad?
Yes! By all means.
If you're not a fan of nuts, then you can totally leave them out of the ingredient list and you'll still have a great tasting salad.
How long can this chicken salad sit out at room temperature?
Never longer than 3 hours, and if you're serving outside and it's hot, never longer than 2 hours without refrigeration.
A little about what feeds my soul:
Sometimes there is nothing better than taking the afternoon off to be with friends and family.
Since I work from home, I find that I occasionally have to force myself to leave the house to do things other than going to the grocery store.
We spent this particular afternoon (the day I had the original chicken salad) going to a pottery store, a flea market/craft show, and lunch.
It was a wonderful way to reconnect and feed my soul, as well as my tummy.
And as a much-needed reminder that there's a whole world outside of my own four walls, and beyond the windows of my computer screen.
It doesn't mean, however, that once I'm out and about that I don't think about, talk about, and dream about food.
I always do, and I probably always will.
The inspiration for new recipes is everywhere, and to me, that is extremely exciting!
Can leftover chicken be used in this recipe?
Yep! As long as you have approximately 4 cups of cut-up chicken, you're good to go!
Can leftover turkey be used in this recipe instead of chicken?
Yes!! I think that would be a great way to use turkey leftovers, and the same applies (see above) for the amount needed.
Additional recipes using rotisserie chicken:
*Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Portobellos (pictured below)
This original recipe for Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Portobellos is my fast and speedy riff on a traditional chicken Parmesan…with a twist!
*Chicken Pot Pie Potatoes (pictured below)
What do you get when you combine a baked potato with all the comfort and goodness of a chicken pot pie, but without all the work? Chicken Pot Pie Potatoes, that’s what!
*French Spaghetti (pictured below)
Fast Friendly French Spaghetti has a rich, slow-cooked flavor but only takes minutes to prepare thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken.
*Orange Cashew Chicken Salad with Pecans (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's orange cashew chicken salad.
If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating in the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂
Orange Cashew Chicken Salad with Pecans
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups cut-up rotisserie chicken white and dark meat
- 1 large shallot minced
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 1½ tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon
- ½ cup chopped roasted salted, cashews
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, nuts, shallots, celery, tarragon, orange zest and juice, mayonnaise, honey, and Dijon mustard. If needed, season with additional salt and pepper.
- Cover and allow to chill in the fridge at least 1 hour for the flavors to develop and marry.
Video
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's sweet and savory chicken salad recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Lauren Kleiman says
I'm loving this twist on traditional chicken salad. The combination of flavors is seriously out of this world.
Renée says
That's wonderful to hear, Lauren.
Thank you, and enjoy!!
Renee
Wayne says
Yummy! My wife made this for my lunch the other day and it was so delicious! I love this recipe!
Renée says
Awesome, Wayne! You're a lucky man! 😉
Thanks for letting me know!!
Take good care,
Renee
Beth says
My husband is going to love this recipe! I can't wait to make this! Looks so yummy and delicious!
Renée says
It's both. Yummy, AND delicious!
Enjoy, Beth!
Sydnie says
I love fresh salads like this! They are fun and delicious!
Renée says
Thanks, Sydnie!
amanda @ fake ginger says
Yes! The thighs are the best part of the chicken! This looks fabulous - totally making it next time I get a chicken salad craving!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Chicken salad is my go-to "OMG I'm so hungry I need to make lunch now!" dish. I love the addition of orange and cashews. I normally add nuts but never thought of cashews!
Nikki says
I love the way you piled the salad on the bread! It certainly makes me want to get some!
Blackberry Babe says
This sounds fantastic! Love creative variations on chicken salad!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Meeting friends for lunch is a necessary thing! Especially when you work from home and don't talk to anyone else all day. Love this chicken salad though, for days when I am home!
Kim Bee says
I'm with you, working from home tends to make some of us a bit reclusive. I forget there's real life out there. My only problem is I don't have any foodie friends locally so I never get to do foodie adventures. Usually I'm dragging my daughter with me on those. Luckily she digs it. I try to force myself to have lunch with a girlfriend or two at least once a month. That way I stay in touch with the real world a bit. Otherwise it's just me hanging around the house in my jammies 24/7. Ha.
There is nothing quite like chicken salad. My mom used to love to make versions of it for lunch when my gramma and aunts visited. This one looks amazing. Deliciousness in every bite.
Carrie R says
I just love this delicious twist on traditional chicken salad. 🙂 The addition of the cashews and orange sounds amazing!
Erin Dee says
It's embarrassing how often I leave home for something other than grocery store (or doctor's appointments). It's so cozy here. And I can wear pajamas!
That's so nice that you live near family. And this looks great!
Lauren says
I love all of the flavors in this! I've been using shallots like they're going out of style lately, so I'm especially happy to see those in there.
Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits says
That's a super looking salad, and I LOVE tarragon, it goes so well with chicken!
Tanya-Lemonsforlulu.com says
Oh my goodness, I know what you mean, sometimes I have to force myself to just step outside; working from home can be tough like that! This chicken salad is a great reason to stay home, it looks so good!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Loooove all the flavors in this, YUMMY! The orange, tarragon and pecans are especially calling my name!
Amanda-The Kitcheneer says
I LOVE this chicken salad! I'm not just saying I am going to try this I AM GOING TO TRY THIS! I think it would be great on top of a bed of greens! and yes, the best recipe inspiration comes from our favorite foodie places!
Back for Seconds says
Mmmm I am loving all of the different flavors and textures going on here. Looks so yummy!
The Food Hunter says
This sounds amazing. Perfect for holiday brunch.
Tonia Larson says
I'll have to try making this for my friends! It sounds delicious!
Ginny McMeans says
You did a great job here. Sandwiches are my favorite thing and especially when there are nut in them.
Katrina says
Yum! I love everything about this! How cute is the name Pemberley. And I totallly agree about the ladies' day out--totally a NEED now and then.