This tarragon chicken salad recipe is just so elegant and full of flavor. Slivered almonds add the perfect crunch and fresh tarragon gives this super quick and easy chicken salad recipe a springy, fancy feel. Perfect for a baby shower or bridal shower served in lettuce cups or on croissants, and it’s great for meal prep, too. Naturally Whole30, paleo, low carb, and keto-friendly.
I am so obsessed with this tarragon chicken salad with almonds.
Thankfully, it’s super quick and easy, and it’s pretty darn healthy, too! It could be worse… I’m looking at you, paleo brownies, paleo chocolate cupcakes, and healthy cookie dough. They might have “paleo” or “healthy” in the title, but when you eat 4 servings of them, well…
And, as elegant and gourmet as this tarragon chicken salad is, the truth is that our obsession with is started with the deli tarragon chicken salad found at Publix!
Since we don’t actually have Publix where we live, we make a stock-up trip to the store a part of our beach ritual. We load up on easy lunches to munch on the sand, and this tarragon chicken salad with almonds is always, always our go-to.
But even though we aren’t near a Publix the rest of the year, we can absolutely have creamy, elegant tarragon chicken salad any time now, thanks to this quick and easy recipe.
What Makes This Tarragon Chicken Salad with Almonds So Good
- It’s crazy quick and easy. Chop some tarragon, stir together the ingredients, and you’re set!
- This recipe is amazing for baby and bridal showers, wonderful serves on croissants, in lettuce or serving plastic cups, or on salad greens.
- The tarragon adds such a gorgeous, fresh flavor that you aren’t used to with chicken salad but that is so good.
- The sliced almonds provide the perfect crunch, ramping up the deliciousness of this recipe with the perfect texture!
- This recipe is naturally Whole30, paleo, low carb, and keto-friendly.
How to Make This Chicken Salad
It’s almost too simple to need an explanation! Here it goes:
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine well.
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
How long will this tarragon chicken salad last?
I’d keep this chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge at least 3-4 days, likely up to 5.
Ways to Serve This Chicken Salad
Need ideas for ways to serve this Publix inspired chicken salad at a shower? Try:
- In lettuce cups (Very low carb/keto!)
- In super cute wonton cups
- On apple slices
- On sliced croissants
- With water crackers
- With bread
- On lettuce as salad
Whole30 / Paleo Version
There are no modifications needed to make this recipe Whole30 compliant, but make sure you use Whole30 mayonnaise! I have a great recipe for a foolproof, Whole30-compliant immersion blender mayonnaise. Try it out!
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
- Herb Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
- Panera Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Whole30 Steak with Bearnaise Sauce
- Poppy Seed Chicken
- The Best Shredded Chicken
- Chicken Salad with Grapes
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Tarragon Chicken Salad with Almonds
Ingredients
- 6-7 cups cooked chicken breasts diced or shredded (from about 4 large chicken breasts, weighing about 3-3 1/2 pounds), see Note 1
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups mayonnaise see Note 2
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup sliced almonds see Note 3
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 6 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves minced, see Note 4
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well. Keep in an airtight container until ready to serve. Chicken salad will last in the fridge at least 3-4 days.
Storage Notes
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge 5-6 days.
Notes
To bake chicken breasts, place chicken in a baking dish and bake at 350º F for about 30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160º F. Let rest before dicing. Note 2
If on Whole30 or paleo, use Whole30-compliant mayonnaise, like my One Minute Whole30 Mayonnaise. Note 3
I prefer sliced almonds over slivered, as sliced add the perfect, light crunch. They’re thinner than slivered almonds and blend into the texture of the tarragon chicken salad perfectly. I get them from the bulk section at my grocery store. Note 4
To use dried tarragon leaves, start with 1 tablespoon and add more, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired taste is reaches. You will use about 1 1/2 tablespoons dried tarragon or so. Flavor will increase in intensity over time with dried tarragon.
Nutrition
Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
Vicki Yackel says
We have a French bakery here in Birmingham and they serve a scoop ofTarragon Chicken Salad with Sliced Almonds alongside small chunks of Swiss Cheese, red grapes and about three small cubes of a variety of specialty breads. Divine! Now I will recreate for my favorite friends! Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe and helpful info you shared!
Cheryl Malik says
Of course! I hope you and your friends enjoy!
Jehan says
Delicious! I would cut the salt a bit. I added some finely chopped shallots because I didn’t have onion powder. Would be great with red grapes too or apple. Appreciated the tip on baking chicken and on dried vs fresh tarragon. I used fresh which I think makes this so delicious!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Thanks for sharing your review!
Kathy says
Are the slivered or sliced almonds toasted and salted?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
They are not. 🙂 You could definitely that kind, though!
sharon Reeves says
CHERYL! This was something we had at an English deli… and we both loved the flavor so much, I immediately looked up a recipe finding YOURS among others. Thank you! I felt like your recipe, filled with alternatives, and the lesson regarding fresh vs dried tarragon was something I never knew!!! (I’ve been around for a while ?). You narrate like a “bestie in the kitchen with me!” Thank you. ?
Amelia Camurati says
Thanks Sharon!
Heidi Lands says
How much is considered a serving?
Cheryl Malik says
This recipe makes ten servings.
Pam says
I’m thinking sliced grapes might be a nice addition.
Tara says
So good. My new favorite chicken salad recipe. I made it last week for my work lunch and making it again this week I loved it so much.
Nancy says
This is great, I too got the recipe from Publixs. I had always used dried tarragon and I’m planning on using fresh this time. Thanks so much for the information!
Maria says
Wow… This is our favorite chicken salad at Publix! We can only buy it when we are away because we don’t have a Publix in our state Can’t wait to try it! Thanks
STEPHANIE JEDLICKA says
Any idea how long this will last in the fridge?? I’d love to make this for lunches at work!
Cheryl Malik says
Yes! It will last about a week 🙂 At least the workweek. We make my chicken salad recipes for meal prep all the time!
chihyu says
I can taste all the yummy flavor from here. So good!
Linda says
This is my kind of salad. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for a crowd.
Hope says
Had this for lunch yesterday and loved it! So easy to make but delicious. Still have some leftovers – looking forward to eating them today!
Angela Sackett says
SO yummy! I love that this is simple and beautiful and I’m going to scoop it up with almond flour crackers. And GIRL, how I miss my Publix – and their Tarragon Chicken Salad!!! 🙂
Lynn Simpson says
Do you think it would be just as good to use canned chicken? Thinking when I’m in a pinch and don’t have time to bake the chicken ahead of time.
Cheryl Malik says
We haven’t tried it, but give it a try!
Renee Kohley says
Love these flavors – such a great idea for dressing up everyday chicken salad! This will make a great lunch for me today – thanks!
Annemarie says
Great idea to use tarragon! I have a big jar of it in my cabinet, and I never know what to do with it. I can’t wait to try it in this chicken salad.
paleoglutenfreeguy says
I love the idea of fresh herbs in chicken salad. I don’t love tarragon but I bet basil would work just as well. Thanks for the idea!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
Basil or Dill or Thyme would all work here!
Tarragon is a classic pairing with chicken. Love this. I will pin to make this
with fresh tarragon this summer!
Katie Beck says
I absolutely love tarragon with chicken. And chicken salad, I think, is my favorite sandwich ever! The addition of almonds adds a great texture too, this sounds delicious.
Kelly says
I always forget about tarragon. Great spice and love it in this recipe.
Jean says
Such a unique and yummy chicken salad! Love the addition of almonds for that crunch.
Raia Todd says
What a gorgeous chicken salad! This will be perfect for summer potlucks!