Description
Barefoot Contessa’s tarragon chicken salad brings French countryside elegance to your table with tender chicken, crisp celery, and aromatic herbs. Rich, creamy mayonnaise and delicate tarragon create a luxurious blend that makes dining feel like a gourmet escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 450 grams (16 ounces) shredded chicken
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 40 grams (1.4 ounces) red onion, chopped
- 30 grams (1 ounce) celery, chopped
- 10 grams (0.35 ounces) fresh tarragon, roughly chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 10 grams (0.35 ounces) parsley, roughly chopped
Binding and Seasoning:
- 80 grams (2.8 ounces) mayonnaise
- 40 grams (1.4 ounces) raisins
- 0.125 teaspoons ground pepper (a pinch)
- 0.25 teaspoons sea salt (a pinch)
Instructions
- Meticulously shred the cooked chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring consistent texture and optimal flavor distribution.
- Finely dice the red onion and celery, creating delicate, uniform cuts that will provide crisp texture and balanced flavor throughout the chicken salad.
- Gently chop the fresh tarragon and parsley leaves, releasing their aromatic oils and ensuring even herb dispersion across the mixture.
- Pour mayonnaise into the bowl, thoroughly coating the chicken and vegetable components with a creamy, smooth binding agent that enhances overall taste and consistency.
- Sprinkle raisins throughout the mixture, introducing a subtle sweetness that complements the savory chicken and herbaceous notes.
- Season the salad with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt, carefully balancing the flavors to create a harmonious and delectable profile.
- Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold and blend all ingredients, ensuring each component is evenly distributed and thoroughly incorporated.
- Conduct a taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as needed by adding additional mayonnaise, salt, or pepper to achieve your desired flavor intensity.
- For optimal taste development, refrigerate the chicken salad for 30-60 minutes, allowing the herbs and spices to meld and intensify.
- Serve chilled as a versatile dish: spread on artisan bread, nestled in a crisp lettuce wrap, atop mixed greens, or alongside gourmet crackers.
- Preserve any remaining salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator, maintaining freshness for 3-5 days.
Notes
- Chill for maximum flavor: Refrigerating the salad allows ingredients to blend and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Customize with herbs: Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, chives, or basil to create a unique and personalized chicken salad experience.
- Play with texture: Incorporate crunchy elements such as toasted almonds, diced celery, or crisp apple chunks for an exciting mouthfeel.
- Control creaminess carefully: Start with less mayonnaise and gradually add more until you reach your desired consistency and taste.
- Shred chicken strategically: Hand-pull freshly cooked chicken for the most tender, succulent texture that absorbs seasonings beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg