It’s inevitable to have food leftovers after gatherings. I remember when I celebrated my birthday last year. I was surprised when I saw the bowl of chicken salad still half full. That was the first time I encountered substantial amount of leftover at home. So now I want to know if there’s anything I could do to avoid wasting excess food.
Knowing how to deal with food leftovers is important so you can store the excess and consume it again. The advantage of chicken salad is that it can be served as a side dish, main course, or appetizer.
If you have extra chicken salad, can you freeze it? Sure, you can. By learning a few tips in frozen food, you don’t need to throw away leftovers in your kitchen. Besides, you don’t want to feel bad every time you toss excess food on the trash bin.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
Mayonnaise gives off watery fluid in the chicken salad once it’s thawed. So it’s better to use whipped salad dressing if you plan to freeze your salad.
Don’t keep the salad bowl at room temperature for several hours because it won’t be safe to freeze anymore due to potential bacterial growth.
Chicken salad that is properly refrigerated can last longer. Use an airtight food container or freezer bag to maintain flavor and quality.
When making refrigerated chicken salad, get rid of the moist. Add fresh mayonnaise or yogurt to re-flavor and remoisten the salad.
Stir the salad dressing well to reduce the odds of mayo-ingredients separation. Remember that freezing can make your salad soggy.
Before sealing the freezer bag, remove air content with a vacuum sealer machine or simply squeeze the bag.
How to Freeze Chicken Salad?
For successful chicken salad refrigeration, it’s always important to follow professional guidelines. This will help you keep leftovers useful for future consumption. Check out the salad freezing tips below:
- Put the salad in a small container or plastic bag. Seal it properly by removing excess air inside the container.
- Label the containers with date and name to avoid confusion. This will also help you remember when you put the salad in the freezer.
- Flatten the freezer bags for easy stacking. And to ensure food quality, make sure they are at the highest freezing point.
- Proper freezing of chicken salad can help it last up to 3 months. You can mix it with other salads and sandwiches for more enjoyable meals.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Chicken Salad?
Chicken salad is a classic dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra chicken salad? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover chicken salad:
- Make a sandwich – Chicken salad makes a great sandwich filling. Just add it to some bread with your favorite toppings, and you’ll have a tasty lunch in no time.
- Use it as a dip – Chicken salad can also be used as a delicious dip for chips or crackers. Simply add in some shredded cheese and spices, and you’ll have a tasty snack that everyone will love.
- Add it to a wrap – Chicken salad also makes a great addition to wraps and burritos. Just add it in with your other favorite ingredients, and you’ll have a tasty and healthy meal in no time.
- Make chicken salad sliders – Chicken salad sliders are a great way to use up leftover chicken salad. Simply add chicken salad to some mini slider buns with your favorite toppings, and you’ll have a delicious and easy snack that everyone will love.
- Use it as a topping – Chicken salad can also be used as a topping for salads or rice bowls. Just add it in with your other favorite ingredients, and you’ll have a tasty and healthy dish in no time.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover chicken salad. Next time you find yourself with extra chicken salad, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Chicken Salad Recipes
The Spicy Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado is for the spicy food lovers out there. It has a tangy flavor with grilled chicken meat perfect for any type of occasion.
With the Southern, Home-style Chicken Salad, you will enjoy seasoned chicken with onions, celery, and eggs on the side. This makes a perfect ready-to-eat meal for those who are always on the go.
For those who want delicious yet healthy salad, the Grilled Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime is the best choice. The ingredients make it unique from other chicken salads, but it’s also flavorful and tender.
Wrap up
Yes, you can freeze chicken salad. If possible, use whipped dressing instead of mayo because it won’t water down once thawed. It’s also best not to leave this dish at room temperature for too long before freezing–just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to store! Label the containers with date and name to avoid confusion about when it was placed in the freezer. We hope these tips help with your next batch of homemade chicken salad that will be perfect for summertime picnics, potlucks, and more!
