American · Lunch & handhelds

Chicken salad croissant

Name: Chicken salad croissant
Prep time: 22 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 44 min
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided; 1/3 cup pecan halves; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 medium celery rib, finely diced; 1/2 cup seedless red grapes, quartered; 2 scallions, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon; 4 large bakery croissants; 4 completely dry butter-lettuce leaves

Buttery toasted croissants filled with lemon-tarragon chicken salad, crisp celery, grapes, scallions, and toasted pecans.

About 1 hr 45 minTotal

About 45 minActive

$$$Cost

EasyDifficulty

Makes 4 sandwiches

Equipment

A similarly sized 13 × 18-inch rimmed pan works; smaller pans make a thicker pizza.
Best starting point
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet · 43100
View at Amazon
Another workable path: A similarly sized 13 × 18-inch rimmed pan works; smaller pans make a thicker pizza.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, Kwilt earns from qualifying purchases.
How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We compared exact half-sheet geometry, uncoated material, reinforced construction, heat limit, care, stable model identity, and the exact Amazon destination. Manufacturer specifications establish model 43100 and its UPC, while America's Test Kitchen reports comparative cooking and handling results. Kwilt has not baked with this pan.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet · 43100: Its 13-by-18-inch footprint gives this soft dough the intended thickness, and the uncoated aluminum supports browning on the oiled bottom. Trade-off: Hand washing is recommended, and acidic tomato left on uncoated aluminum can discolor or pit the surface over time.
Another workable path: Use another rimmed half sheet only if its outside dimensions are close to 13 by 18 inches. A smaller pan makes a thicker pizza and needs its own bake adjustment.
Sources
Nordic Ware product details
America's Test Kitchen result
Nordic Ware model and UPC registry
Amazon exact product listing

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 4 sandwiches

1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1/3 cup pecan halves
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 medium celery rib, finely diced
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, quartered
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
4 large bakery croissants
4 completely dry butter-lettuce leaves

Instructions

Rub chicken with olive oil, half the salt, and half the pepper. Roast on a at 425°F until the thickest part reaches 165°F, 16 to 22 minutes. Rest 10 minutes, then refrigerate on a shallow plate until cool and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
While the chicken cooks, toast pecans on a separate pan for 5 to 7 minutes, cool completely, and chop. Whisk mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon, Dijon, remaining salt, and remaining pepper in a bowl.
Fold cooled chicken, celery, grapes, scallions, tarragon, and pecans into the dressing just until evenly coated. Chill 20 minutes so the mixture firms; taste and adjust only if needed.
Split croissants without cutting through the hinge. Toast cut sides in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly crisp, 1 to 2 minutes, then cool so trapped steam does not soften them.
Line each lower croissant half with dry lettuce, divide chicken salad evenly over it, close, and serve immediately.

United StatesAmerican lunch-counter and household cooking

From the table

About this recipe

Chicken salad croissants became a familiar American luncheon and tearoom combination, pairing a cool mayonnaise-dressed chicken salad with the rich crisp layers of a split croissant.

The chicken is cooked specifically for the salad rather than relying on variably seasoned rotisserie meat. Cooling every warm component before mixing protects both food safety and the crisp croissant. This Kwilt version follows the reviewed household adaptation: Cook and cool lean chicken specifically for the recipe, then temper mayonnaise with yogurt and lemon so the croissant remains rich without becoming heavy.

Sources

Dinner does not stop at the recipe