Dinner / Sandwiches, burgers & pizza
Chicken Salad Sandwich with Poached Chicken and Tarragon
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Gently poached chicken, celery crunch, and a whisper of tarragon in a cool, lemony dressing. Make it ahead, chill it, and the sandwiches for a long afternoon are already waiting.
The short version
Poach chicken breasts gently until 165°F, cool and dice. Fold into a mix of mayo, sour cream, lemon, celery, green onion and tarragon. Chill for at least 30 minutes, then pile onto bread.
What makes ours better
small changes, very loud compliments
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Poach the chicken off the heat. Bringing the water to a simmer, covering and turning off the heat cooks breasts gently and evenly, so they stay juicy instead of tight and stringy.
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Cut the mayo with sour cream and lemon. A quarter of the mayo swapped for sour cream, plus lemon juice, keeps the salad creamy but not heavy. It tastes bright instead of greasy.
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Add tarragon. Tarragon's faint anise note is what makes classic chicken salad taste like chicken salad. A little goes a long way.
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Chill before serving. Thirty minutes lets the celery and herbs season the dressing. The salad tastes more settled, and it gets better overnight.
What you need
check the pantry before you promise anyone
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts1¼ pounds
- Mayonnaise⅓ cup
- Sour cream2 tablespoons
- Celery2 rib
- Green onions3 whole
- Chopped fresh tarragon1 tablespoon
- Soft bread8 slices
Chicken
Salad
To serve
yes, all of the butter
Steps
apron on. phone down. mostly.
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Start the poach
Put the chicken in a pot just big enough to hold it in one layer. Cover with cold water by 1 inch and stir in the tablespoon of salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
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Turn off the heat
As soon as the water simmers, cover the pot and take it off the heat. Let the chicken sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part reads 165°F.
Don't go by time alone. Thickness varies, so check with a thermometer.
About 18 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Cool the chicken
Lift the chicken to a plate and let it cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate it for 10 more if you are in a hurry.
About 10 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Make the dressing
Stir the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, tarragon, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
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Cut the chicken
Dice the chicken into ½-inch pieces, or shred it with two forks if you like a softer texture. You should have about 3 cups.
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Fold it together
Add the chicken, celery, green onions and grapes if using to the dressing. Fold gently until everything is coated. Taste and add salt or lemon if needed.
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Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
About 30 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Build the sandwiches
Divide the salad among four slices of bread, top with lettuce and the remaining bread, and serve.
Good to know
read this before somebody asks for seconds
- A rotisserie chicken works when you're short on time. You need about 3 cups of shredded or diced meat, white and dark mixed.
- Chicken thighs work too and stay juicier. Poach them for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of chopped toasted pecans or a diced apple for crunch.
- Storage. Covered in the fridge, 4 days. Don't freeze it; the dressing separates.
Questions, answered
asked and answered at the kitchen counter
How do I keep chicken salad from being dry?
Poach the chicken gently and don't overcook it. Pull it out at 165°F, since every degree above that dries it out.
Can I use canned chicken?
You can. Drain it well, flake it and reduce the dressing a little, since canned chicken is wetter. Fresh chicken tastes better.
How long does chicken salad last?
Up to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge. Don't leave it out for more than 2 hours.
Can I make chicken salad ahead?
Yes, and it's better for it. Make it up to a day ahead and add the grapes or nuts just before serving so they stay crisp.
Why is my chicken salad watery?
The chicken was still warm or wet when you mixed it, or the celery released water. Cool and pat the chicken dry before you dress it.
From the table
Made it? Tell me everything. Especially if somebody said it was better than their mother’s. I’ll keep your secret.
Made it?
tell me the truth, then tell me who had thirds
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Published October 29, 2026.