Apple Tarragon Chicken Salad is a fresh and easy lunch recipe. Serve with lettuce or in between slices of bread.
Nothing makes me happier than having a healthy, pre-made lunch ready to go in the fridge. Otherwise I’m skipping lunch (not ideal), reaching for chips (worse!) or monster snacking on ALL THE THINGS once 2pm rolls around.
That’s why I always aim to have leftovers, egg salad, quinoa salad, chickpea salad, or tuna salad in the fridge to grab and gobble for lunch — plus this fall-inspired Apple Tarragon Chicken Salad, of course!
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Pin ItA Twist on Classic Chicken Salad
Baked chicken, crisp apples, green onions and fresh tarragon are mixed with mayo and lemon juice for a quick and easy chicken salad recipe that’s fresh and filling. I like to roll mine inside a GF wrap (love Mission GF tortillas!) though it’s also fantastic scooped into mason jars then topped with mixed greens for an instant healthy salad when lunch time rolls around.
Just pour into a bowl then mix and eat!
I always have Honeycrisp apples on hand so that’s what I use in this recipe, but of course use whatever apple you love. And if you’ve never tried tarragon, it’s a wonderful fresh herb. Each time I eat it I think, why don’t I use this more often??
You’re going to love this fresh and updated twist on classic chicken salad!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by cooking 2 chicken breasts any way you like – you could use leftover roast chicken, Air Fried Chicken Breast, Baked Chicken Breast, or store-bought rotisserie chicken.
My favorite, easy method for cooking chicken breasts is to pound the chicken to an even thickness, season both sides with salt and pepper, then place on a silpat or nonstick sprayed foil-lined half sheet pan. Spray or mist the tops with extra virgin olive oil or cooking spray then bake for 15-17 minutes, or until cooked through. Chop into cubes or shred once cool. EASY.
You can even do this up to a few days ahead of time.
Add the cooled chopped chicken to a large bowl with chopped red apple, green onions, fresh tarragon, salt, and pepper.
Next add mayonnaise and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice then mix to combine.
Taste then add more mayo, lemon juice, salt and/or pepper if needed. I really think the addition of lemon juice makes this chicken salad taste more like a chicken salad with dressing versus chicken mixed with mayo. Fresh vs heavy.
That’s all she wrote!
Like I said, I usually scoop the Apple Tarragon Chicken Salad on top of greens or use it to make a wrap, though chicken salad is of course great as a sandwich or stuffed inside a gluten free pita. Plus, don’t forget about that handy mason jar idea! However you eat it – enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- salt and pepper
- 1 red apple, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- 1/2 lemon
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- salt and pepper
- toast, wraps, or lettuce, for serving
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees then line a half sheet pan with a silpat or nonstick sprayed foil. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper then place on prepared sheet pan and spray or mist tops with extra virgin olive oil or nonstick spray. Bake for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through, then let cool. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces. Can be done a day ahead of time.
- To a large bowl add the chopped chicken, apple, green onions, tarragon, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (start with a little — you can always add more), desired amount of mayonnaise, salt, and pepper then stir to combine. Taste then add more lemon juice, salt, and/or pepper then refrigerate until chilled. Serve between toasted bread slices, in a wrap, or on a bed of lettuce.
Notes
- Chopped rotisserie chicken is a great substitute for baked chicken.
- This chicken salad makes a great mason jar meal. Scoop the chicken salad into the bottom of a mason jar then top with the lettuce of your choice. Will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Wow, this chicken salad looks sooo delicious! I’m going to have to try it myself. Can’t wait!
I just made this chicken salad and it’s delicious! Love your recipes Kristin!!
So glad you loved the chicken salad, Janice! Thanks so much for your feedback!
I live in Breckenridge, but we love to go to Steamboat – we camp near there every year. Lots of great suggestions above! I would add, if you have time, a detour to Strawberry Park Hot Springs. The in-town springs are great (really good for kids), but Strawberry Park is just magical. Also, check out Lyon Drug (across from Fuzziwigs) – they have an old-fashioned soda fountain there and make the BEST milkshakes. It’s become a family tradition to stop there on our way home from camping. There’s a great taco place right around the corner from (the name is escaping me at the moment). You’ll find lots of great places to eat, though – can’t really go wrong. Have a great trip!
I just made your tarragon vinaigrette last week! Delicious! I love tarragon too and need to use up the rest that I have.
We spent a week in Steamboat about a month ago with my 10 month, 4 and 6 yr olds. It was challenging, but fun. Fish Creek Falls is great. You can probably do the entire hike with the kids. I wouldn’t recommend taking the stroller though, if you have a good baby carrier. The trail along the Yampa River is nice and there are a ton of hikes just outside Steamboat in Routt National Forest. Rabbit Ears pass was nice and has good photo ops not too far from the road.
This looks so delicious! I have been thinking about whipping up some chicken salad recently and this will be great.
Yeah! I hope you love it, Ally!
Looks DELICIOUS and I totally agree about having lunch ready to go! Makes life so much easier.
Also, as a super long-time reader, I CANT believe your son is already 1! The year flies double-fast with the 2nd one, for sure? (And I don’t blame you…the internet makes me paranoid about kid stuff too❤❤)
I think the feels are hitting me harder because he’s our last child, which means everything we put away after he’s grown out of it, or doesn’t need anymore means it’s gone FOREVER. ?
Giiirrrllll…same❤ It’s such a unique heartbreak that takes your breath away.
BUT just wait till Cameron is REALLY playing with Lincoln. NO greater joy than watching the 2 together❤❤. Motherhood is a TRIP of indescribable emotions?
Hello! Colorado native here! We go to Steamboat at least 1-2 times a year. If they still have the rodeo going on Friday and Saturday nights, that’s always fun. Our favorite Italian restaurant is Mambo Italiano. They have a great patio. Favorite breakfast place is Winona’s. Taking the gondola up the mountain is fun. You can then hike around, bike back down, hang out, and eat up at the top – Oasis Sundeck!!!!!! The view will blow your mind. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks for the insider info, Denise! Thinking a meal at Oasis Sundeck definitely needs to happen. :)
This chicken salad looks so yummy. I hope you have a blast in steamboat springs next month- I second renting bikes! Most shops will also rent trailers for your boys to ride in too. My tip for flying with little ones is snacks. Seriously, you can not have enough.
Promise me you will stay in Breckenridge next time you are in CO. It’s my favorite mountain town and is much cheaper than Vail.
We love Breck! We’ve stayed a few times – love the main street area. :)
Hi Kristin! Had a chance to visit Steamboat Springs two years ago on a ski trip, but I hear it’s beautiful any time you visit! The hot springs are the big non-mountain attraction, but even just the old town main street is super fun to stroll and window shop. Had a great steak at E3 chophouse too. I’m heading to Denver myself in a few weeks…can’t wait!
I’m hearing the hot springs and downtown are must sees, so we’ll plan on it. Thanks Tom!!
Oh my goodness, I adore tarragon! Making this ASAP! Good luck on your flight, don’t worry… most people understand babies will be fussy on a plane. :)
Right?? It’s so good! I think the flights are harder with Cameron bc Lincoln never made a peep! Oh well – short flight. ;)
Fellow Iowan in CO! Steamboat is so great! Fish Creek Falls is definitely a great spot and hopefully the leaves will be turning. Emerald Mountain off of Yampa downtown offers some nice paths that you can hike as little/as much as you want with great views of Steamboat.
Best breakfast/lunch-Winona’s, Creekside. Great local shops and food places all along Lincoln in downtown. Enjoy!!
Thanks Erin!! Getting so excited with all these great suggestions!
We did a family vacation this past summer in Steamboat, I was just reminiscing about it this morning. It was SO FUN.
I second Fish Creek Falls, good hike for little legs. We rented bikes and biked along the Yampa River (we were able to rent a bike trailer and everything). The alpine slide was a fun idea but didn’t go very fast. Maybe we got duds. The rodeo was fun but not sure if that’s only a summer event. They also had a cute Farmers Market that we went to in downtown.
Fuuuun! Were you able to rent helmets for the kids?
On the Steamboat to-do list (we were just there in July): Fuzziwigs Candy store on LINCOLN Avenue. Jam-packed full of bulk candy and super-inexpensive ice cream (we got two double-dips for about $6 total!). Nature thing to do – Fish Creek Falls. Short (1/4 mile?) paved path leads to pretty falls. Park in the upper lot. Small fee for parking. Drive up Rabbit Ears Pass to Dumont Lake for a picnic. Beautiful drive up and back!
Thank you! All of these sound right up our ally!