Tarragon Chicken Salad
This chicken salad has a lot going on— it’s creamy, crunchy, sweet, and juicy in all the right ways!
It’s a fresh twist on the deli counter classic—with bright tarragon, sweet grapes or apples, crunchy jicama, and tender shredded chicken all tossed in a light, lemony mayo dressing. As a registered dietitian, I love how this salad balances flavor, texture, and nutrition in one simple dish. It’s packed with lean protein and fiber… and you can serve it a dozen different ways: on toast, in lettuce cups, over greens, in a wrap, on apple rounds, or straight out of the bowl with a fork (my personal favorite on busy days!).
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Bright, herby twist: Tarragon and chives add fresh flavor that’s unexpected and totally irresistible, IMO 😉
- Crunch in every bite: Jicama, apples (or grapes), and chopped nuts layer in texture and a hint of sweetness.
- Lightened-up, creamy dressing: A mix of light mayo and lemon juice keeps things tangy and satisfying— without weighing it down.
- Effortless protein: Shredded leftover chicken (rotisserie works great!) turns this into a no-fuss, meal-prep dream.
If you’ve tried and loved my Rotisserie Chicken Lettuce Cups, Creamy and Crunchy Chicken Salad, or Rotisserie Chicken Sliders, this version brings a fresh new flavor profile to your meal prep lineup—thanks to a few standout ingredients.
This sophisticated spin on traditional chicken salad is mostly thanks to tarragon, a leafy-green herb that smells amazing and has a subtle licorice flavor (similar to anise and fennel). It’s a commonly used herb in French cooking and a star ingredient in the beloved béarnaise sauce.
And that unexpected crunch? It’s jicama working its magic. It gives this chicken salad extra pizzazz without overpowering the other flavors. In the pictures, you’ll notice I used halved grapes for a pop of natural sweetness, but I often swap in chopped apple, which is equally delicious.
This dish comes together quickly and uses unique—and nutrient-rich–ingredients (hello, jicama!) to make it extra memorable.
Let’s hear it for rotisserie chicken!
When it comes to shortcut staples, rotisserie chicken is at the top of my list. It’s fully cooked, flavorful, and makes weeknight meals a total breeze. I always grab one during my weekly grocery run—then shred it up for salads, wraps, and soups. For this Tarragon Chicken Salad, it’s the perfect time-saver. Just remove the skin, pull the meat apart with your fingers, and you’re ready to go—no stove, no stress.
Try this Chipotle Chicken Salad in Avocado Boats!
Tarragon Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup diced jicama, from ¼ medium jicama
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh shallot or red onion
- 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
- 3-4 Tablespoons light mayonnaise, or more for a creamier texture
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, from about ½ a lemon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup chopped apple, skin on or halved grapes
- Chopped almonds or pecans, optional
Instructions
- Place the shredded chicken in a bowl and combine the jicama, shallot, tarragon, chives, grapes or apple, lemon juice and light mayonnaise. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss well.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature on a bed of greens or sandwiched between two slices of whole grain toast.
Can you use dry tarragon instead of fresh?
Hi Terri, yes! Start with 1 teaspoon dried tarragon and increase to 1½ or even 2 teaspoons if you like a deeper flavor. Be sure to taste it before increasing! Hoping you love the recipe!
—Donna
Can you use canned chicken?
Hi Mary! Yes you can, great shortcut! Canned chicken works perfectly here, especially if you’re short on time. Just be sure to drain it well and fluff it up a bit with a fork before mixing it in. Hope you love the recipe! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Love the chicken salad
Hi Becky! So glad to hear that you love the chicken salad. Thank you SO much! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Tasty! The tarragon offers a unique flavor.
Hi Kate! We agree…the tarragon adds a burst of flavor and really takes the chicken salad to the next tastiness level!! — Eliza (Team Joy)