Trader Joes tarragon chicken salad recipe

Inspired by, but better than, a coffee shop tarragon chicken salad sandwich, this tarragon chicken salad is made with dried cranberries for a touch of tangy sweetness.

Inspiration for good food can be found anywhere, even Starbucks, where I had a delicious chicken salad sandwich recently.

The key ingredients other than chicken?

Sweetened dried cranberries and tarragon.

French tarragon is a distinctive herb, with a slight anise or licorice aroma. We don't use it that often; I grew some last year and don't think we used it more than once or twice the whole season. But it does pair well with chicken.

The dried cranberries add some sweetness to the chicken salad, and the lemon juice adds just enough acidity to brighten all the flavors.

What Is Tarragon?

Tarragon is an aromatic green herb that's in the sunflower family. It has aromas and flavors of licorice, eucalyptus, vanilla, and pepper. The herb is commonly used with fish — like in Fish Cakes With Tarragon Mayo — and poultry — like in Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs and Potatoes. It's also the seasoning in the classic Béarnaise Sauce.

The flavors of fresh tarragon become concentrated in the dried herb so you shouldn't substitute them 1:1 in a recipe. When substituting dried for fresh, use a 1:3 ratio. Use 1 teaspoon of dried tarragon if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh.

Chicken Salad Recipes We Love 

• Avocado Chicken Salad
• Curried Chicken Salad with Mango
• Chinese Smashed Cucumber Chicken Salad
• Chicken Pozole Salad
• Chicken Salad with Roasted Bell Peppers and Toasted Almonds
  

• 2 cups finely chopped, cooked chicken meat

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped

• 1 rib celery, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 to 2 teaspoons dried tarragon or 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Make the dressing:

   In a large bowl mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and tarragon.

   Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

   Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

2. Add the remaining ingredients:

   Add the chicken, dried cranberries and celery. Add salt and pepper to taste.

   Serve with lettuce for a simple salad, in a tomato that has been cut open for a stuffed tomato, or with slices of bread for a chicken salad sandwich.

   Did you love this recipe? Give us some stars below!

   Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

   Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label

×

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.