Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad

Easy Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad Recipe

Sweet Michigan cherries, tender chicken, crisp celery, and a creamy dill dressing come together in this satisfying Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad recipe. Whether you’re planning a summer picnic, packing lunches for the week, or looking for an easy meal to serve at brunch, this flavorful chicken salad is a fresh and versatile option.

Made with dried cherries, crunchy celery, red onion, and toasted nuts, this recipe balances sweet, savory, and creamy flavors in every bite. Enjoy it piled onto buttery croissants, tucked into wraps, served over leafy greens, or simply enjoyed by the spoonful.

Why You’ll Love This Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad

Michigan cherries are known for their naturally sweet flavor, making them a perfect addition to classic chicken salad. Combined with juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing made with Greek yogurt (or sour cream), this recipe offers plenty of texture and bright flavor while being simple enough to prepare ahead of time.

It’s an excellent recipe for:

  • Meal prepping lunches
  • Summer picnics and potlucks
  • Bridal or baby showers
  • Sandwich trays
  • Easy weeknight dinners

Everything You Need to Make Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cooked shredded chicken thighs, or dark meat works as well, or a rotisserie chicken (you want to have 6 full cups of chicken after cooking, dicing/shredding; approximately 6 chicken breasts)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
  • 1 cup red onion, chopped fine
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted walnuts, slivered almonds, or leave nuts out

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Juice of 1 whole lemon (approximately 2–3 tablespoons)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp dried dill (if using fresh dill, use 1/4 cup chopped dill)
  • 1 tsp salt, or more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground pepper, or more to taste

How to Make Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Place the chicken breasts on a baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with the salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool before cutting into small pieces or shredding with two forks.
  3. Chop the dried cherries, red onion, and celery. Add them to a large bowl with the chopped chicken and toss together.
  4. To toast the nuts, place them on a clean baking sheet after removing the chicken from the oven. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and roughly chop.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, dried dill, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  6. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold everything together.
  7. Stir in the toasted nuts.
  8. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Tips for the Best Chicken Salad

For the best flavor, prepare the chicken salad a day in advance. Giving the ingredients time to chill allows the dressing to fully coat the chicken while the flavors meld together beautifully. You can also customize this recipe by using pecans, walnuts, slivered almonds, or omitting the nuts altogether if serving guests with allergies.

What to Serve with Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad

This versatile chicken salad can be enjoyed in several delicious ways. Try serving it with:

  • Buttery croissants
  • Fresh sandwich rolls
  • Crisp lettuce cups
  • Mixed greens
  • Crackers for an easy appetizer
  • Fresh seasonal fruit
  • Pasta salad or potato salad for summer gatherings

Storage Tips

Store leftover Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For the freshest flavor and texture, keep it chilled until ready to serve.

Keep Cookin’ with Oryana 

We love helping at-home chefs get creative. With fresh, sustainable produce, local products, and a friendly, helpful staff, you can always rely on Oryana for quality options and creative recipes! Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly recipe ideas and check out our calendar of classes to discover new dishes.  

Recipe Credit: This recipe is adapted from the original Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad recipe by Sheila at Eat 2 Gather. We encourage you to visit the original recipe and support the original creator.