Tarragon Chicken Salad with Apples
This Tarragon Chicken Salad with Apples is packed with tender shredded chicken breast, crisp celery and apple, fresh tarragon, and it’s tossed in a creamy, flavorful dressing. It’s a high protein meal that comes together in about 15 minutes with store bought rotisserie chicken!
I’m always winning at meal prep when I’ve prepped a batch of this Tarragon Apple Chicken Salad. It’s the perfect meal all on its own because it’s high in protein, and it’s packed with crisp, crunchy textures and a creamy, flavorful dressing.
This is one of my go-to post workout meals because it’s plenty satisfying eating it as-is, or it’s also great on my favorite bread or in lettuce wraps.
One of the best things about it, however, is that it’s affordable and so easy to make! I use rotisserie chicken breasts, because they’re always so tender and flavorful, but you can also use leftover chicken as well.
It includes crisp apple and celery, red onion and crunchy walnuts, but the fresh tarragon is truly what sets this recipe apart.
If you’re unfamiliar with tarragon, it’s a leafy herb with the flavors of licorice, anise and fennel undertones. It also has a subtle sweetness and hint of pepper flavor. It pairs perfectly with the ingredients in this salad.
The dressing for this chicken salad is mayo-based, with Dijon mustard, honey and champagne vinegar for sweetness and flavor.
It’s all tossed together for a fresh and summery meal that’s perfect for lunch, dinner and even appetizers.
If you’re a chicken salad lover like me, make sure to try my Sonoma chicken salad or curry chicken salad recipes next. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- There are an abundance of flavors and textures in this chicken salad, including crisp celery and apple, tender shredded chicken, creamy dressing, and fresh tarragon.
- You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken that you have on hand to make this recipe.
- Tarragon apple chicken salad can be prepared in advance and enjoyed throughout the week.
- It’s a high protein lunch or snack that comes together in 15 minutes.
Recipe ingredients
Chicken salad with apples and tarragon requires very few ingredients, and you’re welcome to customize the recipe using the swaps mentioned below.
- Chicken. I love buying a rotisserie chicken for this recipe as they’re so affordable and they’re packed with flavor. My Instant Pot shredded chicken works for in this recipe as well, as does leftover lemon garlic roasted chicken or air fryer chicken breasts.
- Celery. Adds lots of crunch to the otherwise creamy chicken salad.
- Apple. I love Honeycrisp apples here, but your favorite variety of apple will work perfectly. Sub the apple with grapes if you prefer.
- Tarragon. Has a mild licorice, anise and fennel flavor, with a subtle sweetness and hint of pepper. It is what makes this chicken salad truly special, but it can be substituted with your favorite fresh herbs.
- Mayonnaise. Sub with plain Greek yogurt if you’re not a fan of mayo.
- Vinegar. Champagne vinegar is my vinegar of choice for this recipe for it’s mild flavor, but it may substituted with your favorite vinegar or even fresh lemon juice.
- Honey. Sweetens the dressing. Sub with pure maple syrup if desired.
- Dijon mustard. Adds savory depth of flavor to the dressing.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make this recipe
Because this recipe uses leftover or rotisserie chicken, it takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Simply chop the celery, apple and herbs, prep the dressing and toss everything together.
Pro tip: Prep the dressing up to a few days in advance to make this recipe go even more quickly.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
Recipe FAQs
Your chicken salad is likely dry because you either overcooked the chicken or you added too much to the recipe.
Try adding additional tarragon dressing to see if that fixes the issue.
The tarragon is the star ingredient of this recipe, but in a pinch you can replace it with an equal amount of fresh basil or fennel fronds (i.e. the delicate “leaves” on top of your bulb of fennel).
If refrigerated in an airtight container, the apple and tarragon chicken salad will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Serving suggestions
There are so many delicious ways to serve this creamy chicken salad with tarragon.
- Spoon over a bed of lettuce or spring greens.
- Serve with crackers or veggie sticks as an appetizer or snack.
- Make sandwiches using croissants, slider buns, or your favorite bread.
- Enjoy in lettuce cups for added crunch.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Prep the dressing up to a few days in advance to make this recipe go even more quickly.
- Not a fan of mayo? Swap it out for plain Greek yogurt.
- If you love grapes in your chicken salad, swap out the apple with red or green grapes.
- The chicken salad may be made in advance. Top with the walnuts if using just before serving to keep them nice and crunchy.
More summer salad recipes you’ll love
- Canned salmon salad
- Italian chopped salad
- Raspberry salad
- Berry arugula salad
- Kale cherry salad
- Strawberry spinach salad
- Salmon nicoise salad
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Tarragon Chicken Salad with Apples
Ingredients
Prepare the dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayo sub with plain Greek yogurt for added protein
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar sub with your favorite vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breasts see note 1
- 1 stalk celery chopped (about 2/3 – 1 cup)
- 1/2 apple cored and cut into small dice; about 2/3 – 1 cup
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- 1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces sub with almonds or omit
Instructions
Prepare the dressing:
- Place the mayo, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, tarragon, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until combined and set aside.1/2 cup mayo, 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar, 1 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Prepare the chicken salad:
- Place the chicken, celery, apple, tarragon and walnuts in a medium bowl. Add the desired amount of dressing and toss well to coat, and add more salt and pepper if necessary.2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breasts, 1 stalk celery, 1/2 apple, 1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- Serve with your favorite bread or in lettuce wraps. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Use rotisserie chicken for juicy, flavorful chicken breast, or use leftover chicken.
- Prep the dressing up to a few days in advance to make this recipe go even more quickly.
- If you love grapes in your chicken salad, swap out the apple with red or green grapes.
- Store chicken salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
24 Comments on “Tarragon Chicken Salad with Apples”
haha I like that play on the word wrap / wraps!! Made me chuckle! I don’t really use tarragon that often either but I really should! These lettuce wraps sounds right up my alley!! Along with a glass of wine please and thank you!
I love that you get/like my jokes…I think most people miss them entirely or think they’re too corny to acknowledge! haha Thanks Ashley!
I need to use tarragon more too. Love how you paired it in these lettuce wraps. I am going to grab me one of those bottles for the weekend 🙂
I tend to gravitate toward the same herbs and need to venture out more. 🙂 Thanks Zainab!
Yum. I love ALL the flavors and ingredients in this salad. Perfect for entertaining and I must say you would need that glass of crisp and light wine to go with these lovely lettuce boats:)
Thank you Balvinder!
This post makes me so excited for summer! There’s nothing like relaxing outside with a light meal and cold glass of pinot. 😉
I love the mix of flavors in this recipe. I rarely cook with tarragon but you’ve inspired me to!
Thanks Sarah and I definitely need to use tarragon more often!
Summer holidays already?!? That’s so crazy! We have another month here but the kids only go back early in September. My first is going into kindergarten this year — I may be losing my mind! Lol. These are so perfect for summer Marcie!
It IS crazy and I like the sound of your schedule a lot more! I miss the kindergarten days..it’s such a special time!
Yuuum! Such a tasty low carb recipe! Perfect for this week’s lunches before I dive into all the BBQ foods this weekend 🙂
Thanks Karly and hear you on diving into the BBQ this weekend — I can’t wait! 🙂
Tarragon is my favorite herb, and it goes so well in chicken salad, I could eat these lettuce wraps all summer long ~ speaking of summer, enjoy the break with your kids, I miss those days!
I really don’t use tarragon enough and need to change that! Thanks so much Sue — the time is truly flying by with my kids and I want to savor every minute!
Love all kinds of lettuce wraps. These are amazing in all its rights-easy, healthy, quick, hand-held!!! Yum, can’t wait to try these:)
Thanks so much Maria!
This is gorgeous summer fare! I love tarragon and don’t use it enough, either. And I hate mayo, so thank you for using yogurt instead :). Have a great week, Marcie!
Thanks Kelsie and Happy Monday! 🙂
I just CAN’T believe you have a child going into 9th grade! You look entirely too young! I know I said the same thing at your birthday, but girlfriend – you look AMAZING! Speaking of amazing – these wraps! YES! And Cavit wine! Double YES! And national pinot grigio day! ALL the yessss! 🙂 These look absolutely delicious, Marcie! I love that there is no mayo in the chicken salad. It’s not that I’m anti mayo, but I get super excited when I can have a creamy-dreamy chicken salad sans the mayo. These need to happen over here for lunch! Pinning to try! Cheers! <3
You’re the sweetest Cheyanne — many thanks! 🙂 I appreciate your pin and I hope your week is off to a great start!
Yay for summer and congratulations to your son on his graduation! That is so exciting, but I’m sure a weird feeling for you and your husband. These wraps are just gorgeous, Marcie! I love tarragon, but I don’t cook with it nearly as much as I should. What a perfect light and easy meal for the summer. Sounds so perfect and easy, too!
Thank you Gayle and it’s definitely a weird feeling having such old kids! 🙂