We love chicken salad and this recipe is our favorite. It’s simple and flavorful and full of tender roasted chicken dressed with a savory mix of mayo, tarragon, red onion, celery, and seasonings. It’s perfect as a sandwich or served over lettuce for something a bit lighter.
We like it best in summer, but make it year-round because it’s so good. Sometimes we’ll change up the flavor and go with a curry base, or get sweet with grapes and pecans.
However you make it, it’s sure to please!
The Best Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is simply delicious. The key to the amazing flavor is fresh tarragon, so don't skip it! Roasting the chicken at home instead of purchasing something store bought produces a superior result. It allows you to control the seasonings and quality for a salad that's perfectly moist and tender. Many recipes recommend poaching the chicken, which also produces a great result. Our preference is roasting, so that is what we cover here, but either works.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked chicken, chopped or shredded see Note
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 2 tbsp chopped red onion
- 1/2-3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1-2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
- 1/2-3/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Place cooked chicken, celery, and red onion in a medium-sized bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the Dijon mustard, tarragon, and black pepper. Season with salt if desired.
- Add the dressing to the chicken, celery, and red onion, and mix gently until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate till ready to use.
Notes
- While you can buy pre-cooked chicken at the store, roasting it yourself makes for the best chicken salad. Check out our easy recipe for roasted chicken breasts.
- The amount of dressing you make is entirely up to you. Some people prefer more than others, so prepare what works for your palate. Just be sure to make enough so the chicken salad sticks together.
- Refrigerating the salad for an hour or more before serving gives time for the flavors to develop more fully.
- If you’re making sandwiches, opt for bread or a bun that’s a bit softer. It helps hold things together more than something extra crusty.
Nutrition Facts
The Best Chicken Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
331
% Daily Value*
Fat
24
g
37
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
13
g
Monounsaturated Fat
6
g
Cholesterol
84
mg
28
%
Sodium
357
mg
16
%
Potassium
511
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
2
g
1
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
1
g
1
%
Protein
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
158
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
35
mg
4
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.