Tarragon Chicken Salad with Almonds
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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 Recipe 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 It
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 dish last?
I’d keep this chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge at least 3-4 days, likely up to 5.
Serving Suggestions
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 Information
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Delicious!!!
Thanks, Carol! So happy you enjoyed it!
This recipe is so simple to make, healthy and my family loves it. I have made it numerous times and each time it comes out perfect!
Love hearing that! Thanks so much for sharing, William!
I’m obsessed with the Publix tarragon chicken salad. This tastes just like it – and cheaper too! Thank you!!!
LOVE to hear that! Thanks so much for your review, Sophie!
Enjoyed using this recipe. My main change was to reduce the salt almost by half. I like to start there and I can always add more if needed. Additionally I did not have almonds so used pecans.
That’s a great tip, Joy! You’re right – you can always add more as needed. Pecans sound like a delicious sub, too. Great thinking, and thank you for sharing your review!
Delish!! I love Publics, but this is less expensive for the whole family
So glad you enjoyed it!
This must be the recipe my grocery deli uses, absolutely the best!
That is a high compliment! So glad you enjoyed it!
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!
Of course! I hope you and your friends enjoy!
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!
Thanks for sharing your review!