Chicken Salad With Almonds, Apricots & Tarragon
As an Amazon Affilate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.
Chicken salad with with almonds, apricots, and tarragon is a delicious luncheon or brunch salad, perfect as a sandwich filling or for delicate tea sandwiches.
I can’t believe it’s been nearly 8 years since I first published this chicken salad with almonds, apricots and tarragon. It was one of the first posts I published when I first started my site on May 31st, 2011. (This post was originally published on July 11th, 2011, and has been updated to contain nutritional information. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
I seriously love chicken salad, especially when the weather starts to warm up. It’s a great way to use of leftover chicken or turkey. While my family tends to prefer chicken thighs for grilling or frying, because they’re juicier, I think a good chicken salad is best with white meat. But feel free to use whatever you prefer. This is chicken salad with apricots, almonds and tarragon is copycat version of one that I had many years ago in a local Pasadena restaurant. Trader Joe’s made a version for a while and then stopped. I loved it so much, that I had to make my own version.
The slightly sweet apricots, tangy thyme and crunchy almonds are a delicious combination. Chicken salads are great for potlucks, baby or bridal showers, especially when served on a bed of field greens. All of my chicken salads have some sort of combination of fruit, nuts and herbs like this Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
orCoronation Chicken Salad. This Chicken Salad with Apricots, Almonds and Tarragon makes a delicious filling for Afternoon Tea Sandwiches! If using this recipe for tea sandwiches, chop all the ingredients more finely.
This Chicken Salad with Bacon and Green Onions is another take on a classic chicken salad.
Chicken Salad with Almonds, Apricots and Tarragon
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2/3 cups dried apricots chopped
- 1/2 cup almonds coarsely chopped
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons fresh tarragon chopped
- 1 teaspoon Coleman's dried mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients everything together and chill. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
What a wonderful blog, Cynthia! I’m hooked. Food porn… makes me smile. 🙂
Thanks Michael! Glad to have you visit!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a pretty chicken salad! I totally understand your feelings with cooking being your passion…I feel the same way. It’s not always zen, but the feeling after creating something out of many different ingredients is so satisfying and uplifting. I just can’t understand when people say they don’t like to cook or bake…I just can’t relate!
Hey Christina, I just saw this comment! We are cooking soul mates!
I’ve always thought that cooking was like meditation for me. It’s a peaceful place where I can go and create. Thanks for sharing your zen thoughts. I especially like #5 for some reason it resonates with me.
My mom loves chicken salad, I’ll have to make this for her. Thanks for sharing your recipe on Foodie Parties. I’ve pinned and stumbled it.
Debi, I haven’t read that one for a long time…but #5 is my favorite too! I’m always in “A” mode, when I finally slowed down listened to my soul, it was whispering.
I am making this for the Hollywood Bowl picnic next Friday. It sure looks great.
Thanks Cathy! It’s one of my favorites!
Ha, love the name of this recipe! I find my zen zone in the kitchen as well, it’s where time is my own and it moves at a much different pace then life.
This looks so simple and delicious! Perfect for a weekday lunch 🙂
This looks awesome!
Dear Cynthia, the bits of sweet apricots in this salad is a wonderful and delicious idea. I must try that next time! xo, Catherine
Thank you Catherine!
This chicken salad looks delicious! This is what I want for lunch!
Thank you Marye!
This looks like a wonderful lunch idea! Your chicken salad sounds and looks amazing!
Thank you Taylor!
This looks so good! I love chicken salad and I really love that it can be a great use of rotisserie chicken leftovers! Yum!
I totally hear you on how relaxing cooking can be! And even better if you have some tasty chicken salad like this by the time you’re through 😀 Would make a perfect lunch!
I agree! I know it’s not relaxing for everyone, but it certainly is for me!
Ah yes, what we did when we first blogged, so many bad photos on my part… ugh. I love your salad, although I’ve never been a huge fan of tarragon!
What a yum fest! I always like a mustard-mayo combo. I messed around with a million variations of chicken salad as part of my take-to-work lunch a while back, and apricots and almonds rose quickly to the top of the list. Plus, anything with tarragon always seems so elegant. Nice recipe!
This was the perfect lunch today – I had everything on hand! Thanks!
how great is that? Thank you!
Mmmmm I love chicken salad, and what an amazing idea to add apricots! I’ll have to try this.
I love any kind of chicken salad too…Thanks Jean!
Fresh tarragon is my favorite herb. This salad sounds amazing with the apricots too. Pinning to make!
Thank you Megan! Tarragon is an under used herb!
I’ve totally forgotten about the apricot! What a great use for it in this salad. Nice tang!
I always keep a bag on hand for a sweet snack!
Love the addition of Coleman’s. Adding a little heat is such a great idea!
I love adding coleman’s to all my mayo based salads!
I love this recipe. So easy to make and delicious! I can have this every day!
for sure! thank you!
This sounds lovely! Very bright and light…this is perfect for the summer 🙂
yes! Perfect for the summer or spring!
I love all of the ingredients in this chicken salad especially the apricots
Thank you! The sweet and crunchy make a nice twist!
I’m loving the sound of apricots, almonds and tarragon in this salad. I don’t think I have tried that combination before – I need to!
Thank you! It’s really just a twist on a traditional chicken salad! Trader Joe’s made it a long time ago! So good!
Great recipe, will try it out 🙂
So, is there supposed to be thyme in this recipe? It’s mentioned in the description (“tangy thyme”) but it isn’t in the recipe.
Thyme? There’s no rhyme. The description says “tarragon”.