Tarragon Chicken Salad is bright, creamy, and quietly elegant — a chicken salad that tastes like it belongs on a restaurant menu. The star ingredient is fresh tarragon: an herb with a subtle anise-like aroma that lifts the entire salad and pairs beautifully with lemon, Dijon, and tart dried cranberries. If you’ve avoided tarragon because you associate it with strong licorice flavor, try it here — used lightly and chopped finely, it adds a floral, herbaceous note that balances the creaminess and sweetness in every bite.
This version is inspired by a classic café-style chicken salad and uses rotisserie chicken for speed and deep roasted flavor. The addition of unsweetened dried cranberries gives the salad a pleasing contrast of sweetness and tartness, while celery and sweet onion add crunch. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment makes quick work of shredding the chicken to a fine, consistent texture, but there are easy alternatives if you prefer to prepare it by hand.
Why this recipe works
Simple, high-quality ingredients are all you need. Rotisserie chicken provides tender, seasoned meat without long cooking times. Fresh tarragon introduces a distinctive herbal character that turns a familiar dish into something more refined. A balance of lemon, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise creates a creamy, tangy dressing that binds the salad without overpowering the herbs and fruit.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 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
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
Place the shredded rotisserie chicken, diced celery, diced sweet onion, chopped tarragon, dried cranberries, garlic powder, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until the chicken is shredded finely and the ingredients are evenly distributed. Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2: Chill and serve
Transfer the salad to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve cold or at cool room temperature.
Tips, variations, and substitutions
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, shred the chicken finely with your hands or two forks before combining everything in a large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
- For a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. This keeps creaminess while reducing fat and adding a tangy note.
- Try other mix-ins: toasted slivered almonds or chopped pecans add crunch; green grapes or apple pieces give fresh sweetness if you prefer fruit varieties.
- To control salt, use low-sodium rotisserie chicken or rinse packaged cooked chicken and adjust seasoning at the end.
- Make it ahead: the salad stores well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Keep chilled until serving.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this without a stand mixer?
Yes. Finely shred the chicken with your hands or two forks, then combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until everything is evenly distributed.
How do you recommend serving this?
This salad is versatile: serve it in romaine or butter lettuce cups for a low-carb option, spoon it onto toasted whole wheat bread for a sandwich, or offer crackers and raw vegetables for dipping. It also pairs well with a light green salad or sliced tomatoes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Protein: 66 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.03 g
- Cholesterol: 233 mg
- Sodium: 939 mg
- Potassium: 189 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 13 g
- Vitamin A: 215 IU | Vitamin C: 7 mg | Calcium: 54 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Additional info
- Author: Alex Snodgrass
- Prep time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Servings: 4
- Course: Main Course / Salad
- Calories per serving: 600 kcal (approximate)
If you want to refresh your chicken salad routine, this herb-forward Tarragon Chicken Salad is an excellent place to start. The fresh tarragon and lemon keep the flavors bright while the cranberries add a finishing sweet-tart note. Try it this week and adjust the mix-ins to make it your own. Leave a comment below to share how you served it or any variations you loved.