French Tarragon Chicken Salad

Tiffany Manners

Inspired by the classic French herb tarragon, this elegant chicken salad offers a fresh and aromatic twist on a beloved favorite. Tarragon, with its subtle anise-like flavor, enhances the creamy dressing and pairs beautifully with tender, poached chicken. A perfect dish for a light lunch, picnic, or refined brunch.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Course Salad

Cuisine French

Servings bowls

Calories 491 kcal

Equipment

Cutting board
Chef's Knife
Medium saucepan
Mixing bowls

Ingredients

For the Salad:

2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or diced
¼ cup celery finely chopped
¼ cup red onion finely diced
¼ cup toasted almonds sliced
¼ cup grapes halved, preferably red or green seedless

For the Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise preferably homemade or high-quality
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon finely chopped
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

For Serving:

4 leaves butter lettuce for serving, optional
4 slices artisan bread optional, for serving as a sandwich

Instructions

Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add a pinch of salt and poach the chicken breasts over low heat for about 12-15 minutes, or until fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Let cool before dicing or shredding.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped celery, red onion, toasted almonds, and grapes.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, fresh tarragon, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Chef’s Tips:

For extra flavor, roast the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper before dicing.
Adjust mayonnaise quantity based on desired creaminess.
Add a touch of honey for a subtle sweetness if preferred.
Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a lighter option.

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 27gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 643mgPotassium: 443mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 642IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 2mg

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