Honey Chicken Salad Cups Party Appetizers
Honey Chicken Salad Cups make a wonderful bite sized party appetizer that’s great for any occasion, including showers, appetizer parties, and ladies luncheons. You can make the filling mixture ahead and then fill the cups just before company arrives.
With honey, dried cranberries, pecans and celery, the filling is savory, sweet, and crunchy all served in a flaky pastry shell. Not only is this chicken salad delicious as a filling, it can also be served as a main course for a light luncheon.
Chicken Salad Recipe for Parties
You can serve this for almost any occasion. I’ve made them for multiple ladies luncheons and baby showers, as well as for a bridesmaids luncheon menu. Round out the menu with a roasted grape salad and a cheese board.
Make them for a Mother’s day brunch or a savory addition to a tea party.
Helpful Tips
- When I have plenty of time I like to make these pastry shells using refrigerated pie dough. But when I’m in a rush I’ll serve these in phyllo shells from the freezer section.
- You can make the cute pie shells a month ahead and freeze them until ready to serve. Let them come to room temperature before filling them. I bought this set of tartlet molds (affiliate link) many years ago and I love how they elevate the presentation of food with their cute shapes.
- When you’re entertaining, make the chicken salad the night before and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Use cooked chicken breast and shred it yourself using two forks to pull it apart, or buy the premium grade canned chicken breast meat.
How to Serve Chicken Salad
This recipe is so versatile it can be served as an appetizer or an entrée. I’ve been making it for years and it’s always a hit.
Here’s a list of “cups” that you can use to hold the salad mixture, as well as other ways to serve it.
- Phyllo shells found in the freezer section.
- Puff pastry shells found in the freezer section.
- Refrigerated pie dough shells that have been formed in mini muffin tins or tartlet tins.
- Cucumber cups.
- Wonton cups.
- In a bowl for a bagel bar brunch.
- Bibb lettuce cups.
- Tortilla wraps.
If you like this post, PIN, Share, or sign up for our Newsletter at the top of the page. And don’t forget to follow CAH on Instagram or Facebook. Cheers!
Honey Chicken Salad Cups
Honey chicken salad cups are a wonderful bite sized party appetizer that's great for any occasion. Make the filling mixture ahead of time and then fill the cups just before company arrives.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 celery ribs)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or Craisins
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 5 Tablespoons honey
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 2 Packages frozen Filo Shells or pastry shells
Instructions
- Combine chicken, celery, cranberries and pecans together in a medium size bowl.
- Whisk or mix the mayonnaise, honey, salt and pepper together in a smaller bowl, then pour over chicken mixture and combine well.
- Cover and chill for 2 or more hours.
- Follow the package directions to heat phyllo shells just to crisp up. About 5 minutes.
- When ready to serve, fill shells with chicken salad.
