Description

A refreshing and flavorful chicken salad combining tender rotisserie chicken with crisp apples, celery, and sweet dried cranberries, tossed in a creamy lemon-tarragon dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over mixed greens, this easy no-cook recipe delivers a delightful balance of savory and sweet in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 breasts rotisserie chicken (finely shredded or chopped)

Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise (or more to taste)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or more to taste)
½ lemon (juiced)
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon (finely chopped) or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)

Add-ins

1 small apple (finely diced, Honeycrisp or Fuji preferred)
2 stalks celery (finely diced)
⅓ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)

Instructions

Prep Chicken: Remove the skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken breasts and chop or shred the meat into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Mix Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped tarragon, and kosher salt until smooth and well combined.
Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, finely diced apples, roughly chopped dried cranberries, and diced celery into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the chicken and fruit are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and the salad to develop refreshing tastes.
Serve: Enjoy the chicken salad cold as a sandwich filling, wrapped in a tortilla for a light lunch, or spooned over a bed of fresh mixed greens for a satisfying meal.

Notes

Use leftover rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked chicken breasts for ease and flavor.
Adjust mayonnaise and mustard quantities to achieve your preferred creaminess and tang.
Substitute tarragon with fresh parsley or dill if unavailable.
For extra crunch, add chopped walnuts or pecans.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For a lower-fat version, use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken salad, apple chicken salad, rotisserie chicken recipe, easy chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad