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Creamy Southern Pecan Grape Chicken Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Tarragon Dressing

Creamy Southern Pecan Grape Chicken Salad - featured image
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A creamy, crunchy, and sweet Southern-style chicken salad featuring tender chicken, juicy grapes, toasted pecans, and a light homemade tarragon dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, entertaining, or a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (about 10.5 oz / 450g)
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved (about 5.3 oz / 150g)
  • 3/4 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped (about 3.2 oz / 90g)
  • 2 medium celery stalks, finely diced
  • 2 large green onions, sliced thin
  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon leaves, chopped (or substitute fresh parsley or dill)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (4 fl oz / 120ml)
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (2 fl oz / 60ml)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the pecans: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and toast for about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate to cool. (Alternatively, preheat oven to 350°F and toast pecans on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes.)
  2. Prep the chicken and produce: Shred or chop cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Halve the grapes, dice celery finely, slice green onions thinly, and chop fresh tarragon leaves.
  3. Make the tarragon dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Combine the salad: In a large bowl, gently fold together chicken, grapes, toasted pecans, celery, green onions, and chopped tarragon. Pour dressing over and toss lightly until evenly coated, being careful not to crush grapes.
  5. Chill before serving: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and dressing thicken.
  6. Final touches: Before serving, stir salad gently and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Toast pecans just until fragrant and lightly browned to avoid bitterness. Pat grapes dry to prevent watery salad. Add dressing last minute to keep pecans crunchy. Fresh tarragon is preferred but parsley or dill can be substituted. For dairy-free, swap Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use vegan mayo. Pecans can be replaced with toasted almonds or seeds for nut allergies.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, pecan chicken salad, grape chicken salad, tarragon dressing, southern chicken salad, easy chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/creamy-southern-pecan-grape-chicken-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-tarragon-dressing/