Orange Cashew Chicken Salad

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. 

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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. 🙂

Thank you so much for visiting me here today in my Kudos Kitchen!

I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed today’s sweet and savory chicken salad recipe as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!

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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

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