Thursday, May 5, 2011

Chicken Salad with Tarragon, Pecans and Cranberries

I made this one as a fluke because the picky one and I have become addicted to Starbucks Chicken Salad sandwiches. Enough's enough already and we tried it from different deli's as well, and most add practically a whole jar of mayonnaise, but skimp on the chicken, making for one nasty sandwich. The Starbucks sandwich is really good, but I know I can make it myself. Or close anyway. So I did. Use any chicken you like. Chop it in chunks or in little teeny pieces. We are in the teeny camp. And Hellman's Mayo or Best Foods depending where you live. Just can't acquire the taste for Miracle Whip. Not happening here. Add some dried cranberries and because I like them I added some chopped pecans. Some chopped fresh tarragon, salt and pepper and you have a really nice chicken salad. I liked it on a dense whole grain bread.

Although a schlep to Starbucks is also a good thing because I don't think I can make their sweetened Passion Iced Tea. Can I? Well, that's next on the list.





Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries, Pecans and Tarragon
adapted by There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

3 cups diced cooked chicken
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pecans, optional
about 4 -6 tablespoons mayonnaise (more or less to taste!)
2 tablespoons chopped, fresh tarragon
salt and pepper, to taste
some chopped celery (optional)

In a bowl combine the ingredients. Chill and serve.

Sub walnuts, grapes, apples, whatever you like.


Joining Beth at Beth Fish Reads for her fun Weekend Cooking Party. Every weekend. It's open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share! Go on over and see some fun posts.




Posted by at 10:18 AM
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41 comments:

  1. LeniaMay 5, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    What a yummy salad,Carol!It's salad time now that summer is so close!Kisses,dear!

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  2. RitaMay 5, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Love the idea of adding cranberries to your chicken salad; easy, simple and surely really good recipe.
    Rita

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  3. FaithMay 5, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    wonderul salad Carol. It looks fantastic and it makes a great treat for summer time with all the wonderful falvours.

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  4. BarbaraMay 5, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    That's a fabulous combo in your salad, Carol. I like a mixture of dried cranberries and cherries too. Nice to see pecans. I much prefer them to walnuts.

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  5. UnknownMay 5, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Sounds delish! Love the combination of ingredients and tarragon always adds a unique French flavor!

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  6. MarysolMay 5, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Ooh, this salad is going to get me into so much trouble — if I'm lucky.

    Happy Mother's Day, sweets!

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  7. PamMay 5, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    I may just have to make this for lunch - yum!

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  8. SavoringTime in the KitchenMay 5, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    I love chicken tarragon salad and there is a cafe here that makes a great one which I have yet to duplicate. Great job on this one! I love the addition of the dried cranberries. Pecans are a must.

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  9. MarigeneMay 5, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    That sounds like a winner, Carol!

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  10. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartMay 5, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    I am a chicken Salad fan too and I also like Dried Cranberries and Pecans. The tarragon will be new to me ~ a new flavor experience :)

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  11. EbieMay 5, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    I have not tried using tarragon, but I am going to check this out. I love dried cranberries. For my picky, I would chopped the berries finely. Hehe, gave me an idea to bring for lunch.

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  12. JulieMay 5, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    I love chicken salad and the flavors in these look delicious!!

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  13. sheila @ ElementsMay 6, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    Your chicken salad looks wonderful!! I'm not sure I've ever used tarragon before. Maybe I did but I can't remember. I'm curious what kind of flavor it has. I'll have to look for it at the store so I can try it.

    By the way, I just wanted to let you know that I passed on an award to you. :)
    http://kemalandsheila.com/2011/05/prosciutto-and-fig-jam-pizza-and-stylish-blogger-award/

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  14. NammiMay 6, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    looks delicious, by the way how do you get miss picky to try new things ? my son is getting quite picky at times so could use some advice, have a nice week end

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  15. JoanneMay 6, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    I LOVE the mix-ins in this salad! The cranberries, pecans, and tarragon, really set it apart from other versions. I think you put Starbucks to shame with this!

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  16. KathleenMay 6, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    It sounds delicious! I like Mayo on sandwiches , Miracle Whip in my tuna, and sometimes a little of both in things. MW has a little zing. I do know that if you use light mayo in things and don't eat it right away, it turns watery, and that's yucky!
    Glad you were able to make it the way Starbucks does. I have never been to Starbucks, their prices are out of my range. :)

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  17. AnonymousMay 6, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! I LOVE chicken salads and will be sure to try this one! xoxo Kim

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  18. BethMay 6, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Looks great! I might even change the cranberries to dried cherries in mine, because I love cherries to much.

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  19. Debbie@Mountain BreathsMay 7, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Sounds great Carol!! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Beth FMay 7, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Sounds so good and the perfect way to use leftovers. Shoot I have a craving for both Starbucks *and* chicken salad now. LOL.

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  21. TheBookGirlMay 7, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I'm with you on the small size of chicken pieces in salad. I'm that way with my tuna salad too -- I've been known to run the tuna through the cusinart before adding it to the Miracle Whip (yes we are a Miracle Whip house).

    Looks yummy :)

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  22. AlexMay 7, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    I love chicken salad and this looks really good and easy.

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  23. caiteMay 7, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    I never thought of dried cranberries in chicken salad...sounds excellent. And I vote for the pecans! certainly!

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  24. MargotMay 7, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    I love a good chicken salad but I didn't know Starbucks had such a good one. (I don't drink coffee so I've been in there.) I like the addition of cranberries. I bet it gives it nice sweet buy tangy addition.

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  25. JGMay 7, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Totally agree! Starbuck's Chicken Salad Sandwiches are just the best! Still remember the first time I enjoyed devouring it quickly. :)
    ~Judy

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  26. FoleyMay 7, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    Love chicken salad..yours look delicious

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  27. AnonymousMay 7, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Love all kinds of chicken salad. Especially ones with nuts.

    Here's my recipe

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  28. Angie's RecipesMay 7, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    This is a great looking salad! Love the combination.

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  29. Peaceful ReaderMay 7, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    My mother-in-law makes a chicken salad similar to this. Perfect for a Spring day.

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  30. Confessions of a Plate AddictMay 7, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Oh my, Carol! All of my favorite things in one dish! I am definitely trying this one! Happy Mother's Day!...hugs...Debbie

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  31. JoytiMay 7, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I bet its even more delicious - and healthier - than the Starbucks version. Yum!

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  32. JoAnnMay 7, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    I love chicken salad! The combination of cranberries and pecans will make this recipe a winner.

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  33. MarthaMay 7, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Oh my how yummy!! I know I would love this and definitely adding it to this week's menu plan!

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  34. SuzyMay 8, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    I love chicken salads. This one sounds great. I haven't used tarragon much. I need to give it a try :-)

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  35. AnonymousMay 8, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    An interesting combination, chicken and cranberries. I'm a vegetarian but I love to hear about new (to me) food combinations.

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  36. MarthaMay 9, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Just wanted to let you know I linked this to my menu plans this week at http://tmsworkbook.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-plans-59-514.html
    I made it tonight - DELICIOUS!!!

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  37. EbieMay 9, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    I made this Friday night, with the exception, that I used rotisserie chicken (hahahaha, simple and short cut!)

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  38. DiannMay 10, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Oh Yum! this ounds like the perfect chicken salad! I love dried cranberries and have some so, guess what I will be making this week! LOL

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  39. CandaceMay 11, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    What a delicious looking salad! I have never used tarragon with chicken in a salad before. I've roasted a chicken with it...but never the salad. I've got to try that. I love the addition of cranberries. yum!

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  40. HeatherMay 11, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Dried cranberries and pecans are a winner. You could half the mayo and use instead low fat sour cream or plain yougurt.

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  41. AnonymousMay 19, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    wow a great way to shake up potato salad. thanks for stopping by and visiting The Hungry Homebody. I'm glad I found your blog!

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