Name: Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 36
Ingredients: Fresh chives to wrap around each finger sandwich; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 - 2 tablespoons fresh snipped chives; 1/4 teaspoon salt; pinch of ground black pepper; 12 slices firm white bread; 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great here); 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries; 1 stalk celery, finely chopped; 2 green onions, chopped with white and green parts

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Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches with Creamy Lemon Dressing are a deliciously fresh and slightly sweet take on traditional chicken salad finger sandwiches. They’re easy to make, delicious, and bright with the brilliant colors of summer.

Side view of Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches on a white platter

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I spend a lot of time writing, researching… and thinking about afternoon tea and tea time. It’s a passion as well as a beautiful practice to incorporate into our lives.

Afternoon tea or tea time doesn’t have to be fancy, difficult, or stressful.

In fact, it can be a simple break in your day, a relaxed gathering of a couple of friends, or a larger afternoon tea party celebrating anything from birthdays to reunions, book clubs, wedding receptions, baby showers, and more.

While I can’t imagine teatime without scones, tea sandwiches are a common and almost expected treat, too. If you’re looking for more tea sandwich ideas, and even ways to make them ahead, be sure to read my tea sandwich ideas post for more recipes.

Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches

I love to serve these delicious finger sandwiches when the strawberries begin to ripen in the fields and the sun begins to shine.

Consider making them for a spring gathering or a Summer Afternoon Tea.

What is the Best Bread for Finger Sandwiches

The best bread for finger sandwiches and tea sandwiches is grocery market white bread. Pepperidge Farms has a great loaf for tea sandwiches, but if that’s not available, choose a non-artisan style of white bread. I’m using a country loaf of sliced Oroweat bread.

Tips for Cutting Finger Sandwiches

Cutting finger sandwiches is decidedly easy, but here are a few steps to ensure beautiful results.

Butter both slices of bread to avoid soggy finger sandwiches
Be careful not to overfill the finger sandwiches
Leave a 1/3 to 1/2-inch border when filling the sandwiches (the crusts will be trimmed)
Use a good quality serrated knife in a back-and-forth motion without pressing down for trimming crusts and slicing into fingers

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Making Tea Sandwiches

Mixing Bowls as well as measuring cups and spoons
Sharp serrated bread knife (the most important tool for sharp finger sandwich edges)

Filling for Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches in a glass bowl

Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches Ingredients

These tea sandwiches are incredibly delicious and very easy to make with simple ingredients. The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Chicken Salad

Firm white bread
Cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great here)
Fresh strawberries
Celery
Green onions

Creamy Lemon Dressing

Mayonnaise
Fresh lemon juice
Granulated sugar
Fresh chives
Salt and pepper

Garnish

Fresh chives and slices of strawberries

Closeup view of Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches tied with chive ribbon

How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches

These easy-to-make sandwiches are made in 3 steps.

Step 1: Make the Creamy Lemon Dressing

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, chives, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. cover and refrigerate until ready to make the tea sandwiches.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, strawberries, celery, and green onions. Add the Creamy Lemon Dressing and stir to blend. I like to begin with 3/4 of the dressing and add the additional as needed.

Refrigerate until cold; about 3 to 4 hours.

Step 3: Assemble the Finger Sandwiches

Butter 2 slices of bread. Place a portion of chicken salad on 1 slice and spread evenly, leaving a small border around the bread where the crusts will be trimmed. Top with the second slice and gently press into the salad a bit. Repeat with remaining bread.

Using a serrated knife, in a gentle back and forth motion without pressing down on the sandwich, evenly trim the crust edges, usually about 1/3 to 1/2 inches around.

At this point, you can slice the sandwiches into fingers using either the long edge or the shorter edge of the sandwiches. I prefer the longer edge. Using the serrated knife, in a gentle back and forth motion, slice each sandwich into 3 fingers. Transfer tea sandwiches to a serving plate on its side with the filling facing up.

Garnishing the Finger Sandwiches

It’s a completely optional step, but I love the look of a fresh chive ribbon tied around the middle of each finger sandwich for a splash of beautiful green color.

When Serving Tea Sandwiches

I like to allow 2 to 3 finger tea sandwiches per guest. They can be served on the bottom level of a 3-tier stand or on their own finger sandwich tray.

Can You Make These Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches Ahead?

Absolutely. Make and assemble the sandwiches earlier in the day of serving. Store in an airtight container, covered with a damp paper towel, and refrigerate until serving. Garnish before serving with chives or slices of fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches

Yield: 36 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches with Creamy Lemon Dressing are a deliciously fresh and slightly sweet take on traditional chicken salad finger sandwiches. They're easy to make, delicious, and bright with the brilliant colors of summer.