Quick & Cozy Barefoot Contessa Chicken Salad Recipe You’ll Love

Chicken salad delivers a refreshing blend of texture, flavor, and nostalgia all in one bowl.

Crisp veggies, juicy chicken, and creamy dressing combine to make every bite enjoyable.

A few fresh herbs brighten the profile without overpowering the base.

It’s a classic that works just as well for picnics as it does for weekday lunches.

Quick to toss together, it also stores well for meals throughout the week.

You’ll want to make extra – it disappears fast.

Why This Chicken Salad Recipe Steals the Show

• Craft Gourmet Comfort: This recipe transforms simple roasted chicken into a luxurious salad that feels like a restaurant-quality dish you can easily make at home.
• Texture Treasure Trove: The combination of tender roasted chicken, crunchy toasted nuts, and sweet juicy grapes creates an incredible mix of textures that dance delightfully in every single bite.
• Effortless Elegance: With straightforward roasting and mixing techniques, even novice cooks can achieve a sophisticated meal that looks and tastes professionally prepared, making it perfect for casual lunches or elegant gatherings.

Toss Up the Must-Have Ingredients for Lunch Perfection

• Chicken Breast: Tender and juicy main protein source, best when fresh and organic.
• Pecans, Walnuts: Crunchy nuts adding texture and nutty flavor, look for fresh and unbroken pieces.

• Grapes: Sweet bursts of freshness, seedless varieties work best.
• Lettuce: Crisp base for serving, choose fresh and green leaves.
• Fresh Tarragon: Aromatic herb providing distinctive flavor, bright green and fragrant leaves preferred.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base binding ingredients together, full-fat versions recommended for richer taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning enhancing overall flavor profile, freshly ground pepper preferred.

Put Together a Salad That Hits Every Note

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F (180°C) for a perfectly prepped cooking session.

Step 2: Roast Succulent Chicken

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Roast for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked. Let chicken cool completely.

Step 3: Toast Nutty Crunch

• Pecans
• Walnuts

Toast in the oven for 7-8 minutes until golden brown. Cool down after removing.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Salt
• Black pepper

Fold in half of the fresh tarragon leaves until well blended.

Step 5: Build Delightful Chicken Mix

• Diced chicken
• Toasted nuts
• Grapes

Pour dressing over the mixture and mix thoroughly.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle remaining tarragon on top. Serve chicken salad nestled on crisp lettuce leaves. Enjoy your gourmet dish!

Tips for Creamy Yet Crisp Chicken Salad

• Roast Chicken with Care: Select bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for maximum flavor and moisture in your salad.
• Precision in Chopping: Cut ingredients uniformly to ensure every bite has a balanced mix of textures and tastes.
• Enhance Nutty Crunch: Lightly toast pecans and walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant, releasing their rich, deep flavors.
• Customize Creamy Dressing: Experiment with mayonnaise-to-sour cream ratios or swap in Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier profile.
• Flavor Marriage Time: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a more complex taste.

Store It Smart Without Losing Freshness

• Freeze Portions: Divide chicken salad into individual servings using freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Press out excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness. Label each container with the date and contents. Frozen chicken salad stays delicious for up to 2 months, providing quick meal options during busy weeks.
• Chill Quickly: Transfer chicken salad to a shallow, wide container to help it cool faster and more evenly. Place the container on a cooling rack or over an ice bath to rapidly reduce temperature. Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Store Separately: Keep crunchy ingredients like nuts or celery separate from the creamy chicken mixture until serving time. Store these add-ins in small sealed containers or zip-lock bags to preserve their crisp texture.

Fun Additions to Liven Up Your Salad Game

• Mediterranean Makeover: Replace walnuts with pine nuts, swap grapes for sun-dried tomatoes, and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add chopped cilantro, and mix in corn kernels for a zesty southwestern chicken salad with a spicy edge.
• Asian Fusion Remix: Substitute pecans with cashews, use sesame oil in dressing, add mandarin orange segments, mix in chopped green onions, and drizzle with light soy sauce for an East Asian-inspired chicken salad with complex flavors.
• Curry Coronation Style: Blend curry powder into the dressing, include golden raisins instead of grapes, sprinkle sliced almonds on top, and mix in mild curry paste for a British-inspired version with warm, aromatic spices.

Close the Bowl on One Incredible Chicken Salad

Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Salad beckons with Mediterranean charm and sophisticated flavors.

Roasted chicken harmonizes perfectly with golden toasted nuts and sweet grapes.

Creamy dressing whispers complex herbal notes from fresh tarragon leaves.

Culinary enthusiasts will discover layers of texture and nuanced tastes in each delightful bite.

Home kitchens can easily elevate simple ingredients into an elegant meal.

Friends and family might just declare this salad their new favorite – so grab those ingredients, craft this masterpiece, share the joy, spread the recipe love, and watch connections bloom around your delicious dish.

Barefoot Contessa Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken salad elevates simple ingredients into a sophisticated lunch favorite. Creamy, herb-infused, and packed with roasted chicken, this classic recipe offers you a delightful midday escape with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 split (1 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (680 grams / 24 ounces)

Nuts and Produce:

• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) pecan halves
• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) walnut halves
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) green grapes, halved
• Lettuce leaves, for serving

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) good olive oil
• 120 grams (4.2 ounces) good mayonnaise
• 120 grams (4.2 ounces) sour cream
• 15 grams (0.5 ounces) chopped fresh tarragon leaves, divided
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit), preparing a precise cooking environment for roasting.
2. Place chicken breasts with skin facing upward on a baking tray, massaging with extra virgin olive oil and seasoning thoroughly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit), ensuring complete cooking.
3. Simultaneously prepare nuts by spreading pecans and walnuts on a separate baking sheet, toasting for 7-8 minutes until they develop a rich, golden hue and release a fragrant aroma. Allow nuts to cool completely at room temperature.
4. Craft the creamy dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, sour cream, kosher salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Incorporate half of the freshly chopped tarragon leaves, blending to create a harmonious mixture.
5. After chicken cools, carefully remove meat from bones, discarding skin and skeletal structure. Dice chicken into uniform 2-centimeter cubes to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
6. In a large serving bowl, gently combine diced chicken, toasted nuts, and sweet green grapes. Pour prepared dressing over the mixture, tossing delicately to coat all ingredients evenly.
7. Garnish with remaining chopped tarragon, creating a vibrant visual and aromatic finish. Serve atop crisp, fresh lettuce leaves for added texture and presentation.

Notes

• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to meld and develop a deeper, more cohesive taste.
• Customize Your Dressing: Experiment with the mayo and sour cream ratio to suit your taste preferences. Greek yogurt works wonderfully as a lighter alternative.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Chop fresh tarragon just before adding to ensure maximum flavor and aroma in every bite.
• Unlock Nut Potential: Toasting pecans and walnuts brings out their rich, nutty essence and adds a satisfying crunch to the salad.
• Handle Chicken with Care: Let the roasted chicken cool completely before shredding to maintain its texture and prevent the salad from becoming warm.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 318
• Sugar: 3.35g
• Sodium: 459mg
• Fat: 11.86g
• Saturated Fat: 2.78g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.82g
• Trans Fat: 0.01g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 34.81g
• Cholesterol: 100mg