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!

Chicken salad with tarragon in a serving bowl.

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. 🙂

Chicken salad with tarragon and apples in a bowl.
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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.

Tarragon chicken salad recipe ingredients.
  • 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

What’s the best way to fix dry chicken salad?

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.

Can the tarragon be substituted?

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).

How long will this recipe last?

If refrigerated in an airtight container, the apple and tarragon chicken salad will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Chicken salad with tarragon in a serving bowl.

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.
Tarragon chicken salad on bread.

More summer salad recipes you’ll love

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Chicken salad with tarragon in a serving bowl.

Tarragon Chicken Salad with Apples

Tarragon Chicken Salad is tender shredded chicken breast, crunchy celery, chopped apple and fresh tarragon tossed in a creamy dressing. It's a high protein lunch that's great for meal prep!
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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

Calories: 292kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 372mg, Potassium: 241mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 113IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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