Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How good is homemade chicken salad good for? ›

I wouldn't go past 4 days. Fresh Chicken Salad (No Mayonnaise): If your chicken salad doesn't contain mayo or dairy-based ingredients, it can stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Keep it in an airtight container for best results.

Take at least 1/2 a lb per guest. 1/2 lb chicken salad x' 50 = 25 lbs. You can cut down this amount by 1/3rd or 1/4th if you think thats too much or planning on giving a thin spread.

leafy greens such as romaine, arugula, kale and spinach. whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice and bulgur. chopped or shredded vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, cabbage, and beets.

Pieces of vegetables, fruits, eggs, or grains mixed with a sauce. Garden salads use a base of leafy greens such as lettuce, arugula or rocket, kale or spinach; they are common enough that the word salad alone often refers specifically to garden salads.

It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking. This will help tenderise the meat and add extra flavour.

To prevent your homemade chicken salad from becoming watery, ensure the chicken is fully cooled and consider roasting or grilling instead of boiling to reduce moisture content. Lightly salt watery vegetables like cucumbers and let them sit before adding to the salad to draw out excess water.

Cold meat just doesn't smell or taste as flavorful as it does at room temperature or warmer. This is why chilled chicken, even on salads, isn't as delicious as it could be. Warming that chicken before adding it to your salad would return it to its juicy, satisfying best.

To ensure that your chicken salad tastes the way that it should, you should avoid using overcooked or dry chicken in your recipe. Unfortunately, as we cook chicken, the moisture of the bird slowly evaporates.

Still, using ingredients such as mayonnaise or serving the salad on a croissant adds calories and fat. Therefore, it's best to enjoy chicken salad occasionally in moderate portions and as part of a well-rounded diet.

The Importance of Proper Storage and Temperature

Here's where things get crucial: room temperature is the enemy of chicken salad. The U.S. Department of Agriculture identifies a temperature range between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C) as the “Danger Zone” for foodborne illnesses.

How many people will 5 pounds of chicken salad feed? ›

5 pounds of our famous chicken salad flavors presented in serving bowls & served with our delicious crackers. Serves 10-12. [Serves 10 -12 guests] Option to choose either 1 (5 lb) or 2 (2.5 lbs) of our chicken salad presented in serving bowls & served with our delicious crackers.

You would typically need around 2 to 2.5 pounds of chicken salad per person, so for 100 people, you'd need approximately 200 to 250 pounds of chicken salad, depending on portion sizes and other dishes you're serving.

Eat it on lettuce wraps: Want a lower-carb way to enjoy this chicken salad? Wrap it up in some romaine lettuce leaves for a crunchy, refreshing, and delicious way to eat this recipe! Scoop it with crackers: My favorite way to eat this chicken salad is alongside crackers. It's the classic way to enjoy this recipe!

Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored properly, chicken salad should last for three to five days. If you served chicken salad over salad greens, try to store the greens separately to prevent them from getting soggy and wilted.

Mix in cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, lightly pickled red onion, and tangy goat cheese crumbles, then top it off with lime-kissed slices of juicy grilled chicken and a punchy vinaigrette. The big, bold flavors and crisp ingredients ensure you'll never tire of this tasty, feel-good combo.