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These Cranberry-Waldorf Chicken Salad Phyllo Shells are everything you want in a festive appetizer — creamy, crunchy, tangy, and just a little sweet. It’s like your favorite chicken salad all dressed up in a bite-sized, golden shell!
This one’s a go-to for holiday parties, bridal showers, or anytime you need something elegant but easy. The salad itself is a mix of tender chicken, crisp apples, juicy cranberries, and celery — all tossed in creamy mayo (or Greek yogurt if you like!).
The real trick? Crisp the phyllo shells in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F before filling. That keeps them crunchy and gives a beautiful golden base to each bite.
You can prep the filling ahead of time, then assemble right before serving. Let’s make a batch — these little cups always go fast!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what goes into these bright, flavorful bites:
- Mini phyllo shells – Store-bought and frozen is perfect. Crisp them in the air fryer to keep them crunchy!
- Cooked chicken – Chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken works great.
- Dried cranberries – Adds sweetness and color. Chop them if they’re large.
- Apple – Crisp varieties like Gala or Honeycrisp are best. Dice small.
- Celery – For that classic Waldorf crunch.
- Mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt) – Your creamy base. You can mix the two if you want a lighter option.
- Salt & pepper – A pinch rounds out the flavors.
Prep Tips:
- Don’t overfill the cups — the salad is creamy and will spill.
- Dice everything small so it fits neatly into each shell.
- Chill the filling for 30 minutes for the best flavor meld.
Swaps & Options:
- Add toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch.
- Swap in red grapes instead of cranberries.
- Try Dijon or lemon juice for added zing.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Crisp the shells: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place mini phyllo shells in the basket and air fry for 3 minutes to crisp. Let cool.
- Make the salad: In a bowl, combine chopped chicken, diced apple, chopped celery, dried cranberries, and mayo. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir until coated.
- Chill (optional): Let the salad sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Fill the shells: Spoon about 1–2 tsp of salad into each cooled phyllo cup.
- Pro Tip: Fill just before serving so shells stay crisp.
- Serve immediately: Optionally garnish with chopped herbs, walnuts, or microgreens.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filling the shells too early — they’ll get soggy.
- Using large apple chunks — they won’t fit well.
- Skipping the crisping step — shells will taste bland.
- Not seasoning the salad — a little salt and pepper makes a big difference.
- Overfilling — they’re bite-sized!
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Nutty version: Add chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Lighter version: Use half mayo and half plain Greek yogurt.
- Grapes instead of cranberries: Red grapes chopped small give a juicy twist.
- Spiced-up: Add a dash of cinnamon or curry powder.
- Add herbs: Chopped parsley or tarragon adds freshness.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
Make the chicken salad filling up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Crisp the phyllo cups ahead, cool completely, and store in a sealed container at room temp for 1–2 days.
Assemble just before serving. If you have leftovers, store filled shells in the fridge, but note they’ll soften. Still tasty, just not as crisp!
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Each filled cup is approximately 80–100 calories, depending on the mayo and chicken used.
Cranberry-Waldorf Chicken Salad Phyllo Shells
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Air fry phyllo shells at 350°F for 3 minutes. Cool.
- In a bowl, mix chicken, apple, celery, cranberries, mayo, salt & pepper.
- Chill mixture if time allows (30 min recommended).
- Spoon ~1–2 tsp of filling into each shell.
- Serve immediately. Optional garnish with herbs or nuts.
Notes
- Don’t fill ahead — shells can get soggy.
- Store salad and shells separately if prepping in advance.
- Try red grapes, walnuts, or herbs to switch it up.
These cranberry-Waldorf chicken salad shells are a fresh, festive way to serve a classic flavor combo. I love them for brunches, showers, or light lunches — and they always disappear fast. Try your own twist with grapes or nuts, and let me know how they turn out! Want another phyllo shell idea? Check out my spinach & feta phyllo cups — crispy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing!
