Smoked Chicken Salad with Avocado and Tarragon Dressing is a delightful combination of smoky, tangy, and fresh flavours. This salad is a feast for the senses, with tender smoked chicken, ripe tomatoes, peppery watercress, and a luscious dressing made with avocado and tarragon.
About the Recipe
If you’re looking for a salad that’s a step above the ordinary, this Smoked Chicken Salad is for you. The smoky chicken adds incredible depth of flavour, complemented by the bright, herbal notes of the tarragon dressing. With its vibrant colours and textures, it’s a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s so much to love about this salad. The contrast of flavors and textures is merely divine – smoky chicken, juicy tomatoes, crisp watercress, and a lusciously creamy avocado dressing. It’s also incredibly versatile – enjoy it as a light main dish or an elegant side salad. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients from all those fresh veggies.
Cooking Tips
For the best flavor, use a ripe avocado and fresh tarragon. Let the dressing chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Rinse the watercress thoroughly to remove any grit. Soak the beansprouts just until plump and tender.
Smoked Chicken Salad with Avocado and Tarragon Dressing
Smoked Chicken Salad with Avocado and Tarragon Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 Beef Tomatoes (large, juicy and sliced)
- 600 gms Smoked Chicken (skinned and cut into slices)
- 250 gms Fresh Watercress (thick stems and yellow leaves removed, rinsed and patted dry)
- 100 gms Fresh Beansprouts (soaked for 20 minutes in cold water, then drained and patted dry)
- Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley (few leaves)
For the Dressing:
- 1 Soft Avocado (ripe)
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice - 2 tblsp
- 1 tbsp Tarragon Vinegar - 1 tblsp
- 100 gms Greek Yogurt - 100 gms
- 1 Garlic Clove (small, crushed)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Tarragon Leaves (chopped)
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- To make the dressing, put the avocado, lemon juice and vinegar in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the side with a rubber spatula.
- Add the yogurt, garlic and tarragon leaves and process again.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to a bowl.
- Cover closely with clingfilm and chill for 2 hours.
- To assemble the salad, divide the tomato slices between plates.
- Toss the smoked chicken, watercress, beansprouts and parsley together.
- Divide the salad ingredients between the plates.
- Adjust the seasoning in the dressing, if necessary.
- Spoon the dressing over each salad and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of chicken?
Without a doubt. While smoked chicken gives amazing flavor, you can substitute grilled, roasted, or even shredded rotisserie chicken. Just adjust cooking time as needed.
What can I use instead of tarragon vinegar?
If you can’t find tarragon vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar with an extra teaspoon of chopped fresh tarragon.
Can this salad be made vegetarian?
Surely. merely omit the chicken and use extra veggies instead, like sliced cucumber, radishes, or roasted beets. The avocado dressing ensures it’s still filling.
How far in advance can I make the dressing?
The dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored covered in the fridge. Just give it a good whisk before dressing the salad.
What else can I add to this salad?
Get creative. Sliced avocado, crumbled feta or goat cheese, toasted nuts or seeds, mandarin oranges, diced mango.so many tasty options to mix in.
