Trader Joes Wine Country Chicken Salad Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad copycat is a sweet and savory deli classic, which features chewy dried cranberries and crunchy pecans. It’s a creamy, texture-filled lunch, ready in about 15 minutes.

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Trader Joes Wine Country Chicken Salad Ingredients

For the Salad Base

• 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced into small cubes (poached or rotisserie)
• ½ cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries)
• ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped (toasted if desired)
• ½ cup celery, finely diced

For the Dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
• 2 tsp honey (or sugar)
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional, but adds depth)

How To Make Trader Joes Wine Country Chicken Salad

1. Prepare the chicken: If starting with raw chicken, poach 1 lb of chicken breasts in salted water for 15 minutes until cooked through. Let cool completely, then dice into small, uniform cubes. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and dice the breast meat.
2. Toast the pecans (Optional): For extra flavor, toast the pecan pieces in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad so they stay crunchy.
3. Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine ingredients: Add the diced chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and diced celery to the bowl with the dressing.
5. Mix well: Use a large spoon or spatula to fold everything together until the chicken and mix-ins are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
6. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is important as it allows the dried cranberries to soften slightly and the flavors to meld.
7. Serve: Serve chilled on a bed of greens, with crackers, or in a croissant.

Recipe Tips

• Chicken cut: The Trader Joe’s version uses diced chicken breast, not shredded. Dicing gives the salad a distinct chunky texture.
• Cranberry tartness: The dried cranberries provide a sweet-tart chewiness. If they are very dry/hard, you can soak them in warm water for 5 minutes and drain them before adding to plump them up.
• Dressing balance: The dressing is slightly sweet due to the honey and cranberries. If you prefer a more savory salad, reduce the honey to 1 teaspoon.
• Poppy seeds: Don’t skip the poppy seeds; they provide a subtle crunch and visual appeal that is signature to the “Wine Country” style.

What To Serve With Trader Joes Wine Country Chicken Salad

This salad is versatile for lunch or snacking.

• Croissants: The buttery pastry matches the sweet salad perfectly.
• Crackers: A sturdy woven wheat cracker or water biscuit.
• Mixed Greens: Serve a scoop over spring mix with vinaigrette.
• Apple Slices: Use apple slices as a “bread” alternative for dipping.

How To Store Trader Joes Wine Country Chicken Salad

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended as the mayonnaise will separate and the celery will lose its crunch.

Trader Joes Wine Country Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 380kcal
• Protein: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fat: 26g
• Saturates: 4g
• Sugar: 10g
• Salt: 0.6g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (approx. ¾ cup).

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