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This Tarragon Chicken Salad is simple, flavorful, and (dare I say) my favorite chicken salad ever!
What makes this chicken salad standout from others that I’ve shared on the blog before is the use of fresh tarragon, which is a leafy green herb widely used in French cooking. It has a strong, anise-like that immediately elevates any dish. For example, this otherwise ordinary chicken salad is truly restaurant-worthy — and I give all the credit to the tarragon! Even if you find yourself turned off by the flavor of licorice, I’m right there with you so trust me when I say that the herb works so well here.
For this recipe, I was inspired by the chicken salad from Bird Bakery (if you’re Dallas or San Antonio, then you know exactly what I’m talking about). It’s savory, but the touch of dried cranberries gives it a bit of sweetness and tartness that leaves you wanting more!
The other trick that I do here, which makes this salad extra creamy and delicious, is using my stand mixer. While you can use a good old-fashioned spatula and mixing bowl to combine all of the ingredients together, I love throwing everything in my KitchenAid mixer and letting that do the work. It shreds the chicken ultra-fine, which means you get the perfect bite of chicken, celery, onions, herbs, and cranberries in every bite.
ingredients:
- Cooked Rotisserie Chicken
- Celery
- Sweet Onion
- Fresh Tarragon
- Unsweetened Dried Cranberries
- Garlic Powder
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon Mustard
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
step-by-step:
step one: mix the chicken salad
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the chicken, celery, onions, tarragon, cranberries, garlic powder, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and mustard. Beat on medium speed until the chicken is finely shredded and everything is very well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
step two: chill and serve
Transfer to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
recipe faqs:
Yes! Just be sure to shred the chicken really fine using your hands, then add it to a large bowl with all of the other ingredients and stir to combine until everything is very well incorporated.
I love to eat this chicken salad as is, tucked into romaine lettuce cups, with crackers for dipping, or sandwiched between toasted whole wheat bread.
If you want to change up your usual chicken salad routine, you need to try this herbaceous Tarragon Chicken Salad! Let me know what you think of this riff in the comments below.
want More Chicken Salad Recipes? try these!
Clayton’s Favorite Chicken Salad
Tarragon Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1/2 cup finely diced sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the chicken, celery, onions, tarragon, cranberries, garlic powder, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and mustard. Beat on medium speed until the chicken is finely shredded and everything is very well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you use dried tarragon? Apparently Raleigh is either having a tarragon shortage or everyone already bought it all to make this recipe.
haha, yes I am sure you can!! I am not sure how much, I haven’t really cooked with dried tarragon much to be honest.. But i’d start off with 2-3 teaspoons and you can always add more if it’s not coming through.
Made this recipe for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delish! I love your recipes and cookbook! ❤️
Just made this and the Mayo! Delicious 😋
Any store bought mayo substitution you can recommend?
I recommend Sir Kingsington Avocado Oil mayo
Where can I find the homemade mayo recipe?
https://thedefineddish.com/homemade-mayo/
Think it would taste equally as good using Primal Kitchen Mayo, or do you recommend home making it? Love ALL your food so want to do it right 🙂
You can totally make it with PK mayo– i just love the clean taste of homemade. The PK mayo is a great option, but I find it has a unique after taste that can be strong!
Where do you find unsweetened cranberries?
I have bought mine from both Thrive Market + Natural Grocers!
Can you make it without the tarragon?
yes, but it wouldn’t taste near as delicious.
How do you think this would work with Tuna?
yes for sure!
Do you have the nutrition information?
I do not!
Where do you find whole30 compliant rotisserie chicken?
Whole Foods Original rotisserie chicken is compliant -just salt, pepper and chicken. And on sale every Saturday!