The Best Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients

1 3/4pounds (800g) whole bone-in, skin-on split chicken breast halves (2 to 3 breast halves)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2whole lemons
4whole sprigs of tarragon plus 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon leaves, divided
1/4cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade, plus more to taste
1tablespoon Dijon mustard, plus more to taste
1tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems
1tablespoon minced chives
1/2cup finely diced red onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
1/2cup finely diced celery (from 1 to 2 stalks)
1medium clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)

Directions

If Cooking Sous-Vide (See Notes for Alternate Cooking Methods): Season chicken generously with salt and pepper. Slice 1 lemon into 1/8- to 1/4-inch slices. Place chicken in zipper-lock bags or vacuum bags and add whole tarragon sprigs and lemon slices. Remove air from zipper-lock bags by closing the bags, leaving the last inch of the top un-sealed. Slowly lower into a pot of water, sealing the bag completely just before it fully submerges. If using a vacuum bag, seal according to manufacturer instructions.

Preheat a sous-vide cooker to 155°F (68°C). Add chicken and cook for at least 1 hour and up to 4. Transfer to an ice bath and let chill for 15 minutes.

While chicken is cooling, add 1 tablespoon juice and 1 teaspoon zest from remaining lemon to a large bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, minced tarragon leaves, parsley, chives, red onion, celery, and garlic and mix with a rubber spatula. Stir in additional lemon juice to taste, if desired. Keep refrigerated until chicken is ready.

Remove chicken from bags and discard tarragon stems and lemon slices. Remove skin and bones from chicken and discard. Cut meat into 1/2-inch cubes and add to bowl with mayonnaise. Fold gently to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more mayonnaise, mustard, or lemon juice to taste if desired. Serve with lettuce or in sandwiches.

Nutrition

Info: (per serving)443 Calories 18g Fat 5g Carbs 63g ProteinNutrition FactsServings: 3 to 4Amount per servingCalories 443% Daily Value*Total Fat 18g 23%Saturated Fat 4g 18%Cholesterol 174mg 58%Sodium 747mg 32%Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%Dietary Fiber 1g 4%Total Sugars 2gProtein 63gVitamin C 8mg 42%Calcium 54mg 4%Iron 2mg 14%Potassium 638mg 14%*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.