Shredded Chicken Salad

Enjoy a tasty Shredded Chicken Salad! A mix of tender chicken breast, crunchy almonds, grapes, and fresh tarragon to pack it with flavor. Serve cold with sandwiches, crackers, or in lettuce cups! 

Shredded chicken never goes out of style. One of the best ways to use shredded chicken is to make a cold chicken salad. It’s incredibly versatile and great for meal prep because it can be served on a sandwich, as a dip for crackers, or wrapped up in lettuce for a quick and easy meal.

Chicken Salad With Tarragon

As an experienced home chef, I know that adding a little something extra to flavor a dish makes all the difference. My mom used to add fresh tarragon to her chicken salad, so of course that’s what I’m doing here! If you can’t find tarragon, fresh parsley also works well.

You can use store-bought rotisserie chicken or easily make your own. Just slow-cook the chicken with some spices, shred it, and mix it with almonds, celery, grapes, mayo, and tarragon. It’s a perfect food option for any time of the day! 

If you enjoy this chicken salad, be sure to make my BBQ Chicken Kale Salad or, Greek Chicken Pasta Salad to change up the flavors. 

Quick, Easy, and Versatile

• It’s incredibly quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
• You can easily substitute ingredients based on what you have in your pantry or fridge.
• A great way to use up leftover chicken, whether it’s from a roast or a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
• The unique addition of tarragon offers an herb twist, elevating the flavor profile beyond your typical chicken salad.
• It’s perfect for meal prep as it can be made in advance and stored in the fridge, ready to be served cold.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Breast – Versatile for various flavor profiles.

Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder) – Enhance the chicken’s natural flavors, adding depth and a savory touch to the overall taste of the salad.

Low Sodium Chicken Broth – Used for cooking the chicken in the slow cooker, it keeps the meat moist and infuses it with additional flavor.

Mayonnaise – Adds creaminess and binds the salad ingredients together, creating a smooth and rich texture that complements the chicken.

Fresh Tarragon Leaves – Bring a unique, slightly sweet, and peppery flavor to the salad, offering a distinctive and aromatic taste that sets this recipe apart.

Celery – Provides a crunchy texture and a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the other ingredients, enhancing the salad’s overall flavor profile.

Green Grapes – Introduce a sweet and juicy element, balancing the savory flavors.

Toasted Slivered Almonds – Add a nutty flavor and crunch, elevating the salad’s texture.

How To Make Shredded Chicken Salad

Slow cook the chicken breast: Add the chicken breast to the slow cooker, then sprinkle with the dried seasonings. Pour the chicken broth over the top for moisture, then add the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked through.

Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks on a cutting board. Or, add the chicken to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and mix on low until the chicken is fully shredded. 

Assemble chicken salad: Let the shredded chicken cool slightly before adding the remaining ingredients. Once cooled, transfer the chicken to a large mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise, tarragon, celery, grapes, and almonds. Toss gently until the chicken is coated. 

Serve and enjoy: Adjust for seasonings, then store in the fridge to chill or serve immediately. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Shred the chicken while it’s still warm for easier handling and better texture in the salad.
• Use a hand mixer for shredding the chicken quickly and evenly, but be careful not to over-process it.
• Let the chicken cool slightly before adding the fresh ingredients.
• Chop the celery and grapes into small, bite-sized pieces for uniformity and to ensure every bite has a bit of everything.
• Toast the slivered almonds in a dry pan until just golden to enhance their flavor and crunchiness.
• Adjust the amount of tarragon to your taste; start with a small amount and increase as desired for a stronger flavor.
• Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Ways To Serve Chicken Salad

Crackers, bread, and lettuce wraps are just a few easy ways to serve this dish. Check out these unique and fun ways to serve shredded chicken salad! 

• Stuffed in hollowed-out tomatoes for a fresh, garden-style treat.
• As a topping on a bed of mixed greens drizzled with a light vinaigrette.
• Wrapped in a warm pita bread for a Mediterranean twist.
• Serve on top of a crispy rice cake.
• As a filling for spring rolls, wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs.
• Mixed with quinoa or couscous for a wholesome grain bowl.

Storage Instructions

Keep the chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh and tasty for 3-4 days.

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