There are times when we think that we can finish a large tub of chicken salad in a few days but in the middle of it, we find out that we cannot. Of course, the immediate question is, can you freeze chicken salad? In this post, we will answer everything about freezing chicken salad because truth be told, there is more to it than just this single question.
Table of Contents
Can you freeze chicken salad?
Yes, you can freeze chicken salad, be it store bought or homemade. You just must anticipate some changes in the consistency of the chicken salad and a sudden separation of the mayo and the chicken after you thaw it. Significant changes in the flavor is also noted after an extended period of time in the freezer.
Can you freeze chicken salad with mayo?
When it comes with the traditional chicken salad with mayo, you must employ portion freezing. Gather as much freezer-safe bags as you can and store the chicken salad with mayo in different portions, depending on how much you need.
A note of caution though, most people do not recommend freezing chicken salad with mayo because the chicken and the mayo come out in a reduced quality spread after thawing it.
Can you freeze chicken salad without mayo?
There is no difference between freezing chicken salad with mayo and without mayo. If you are using mayo subs, just follow the steps in the previous question. You can also separate the chicken, the greens, and the mayo sub in different freezer-safe bags just to make sure that everything is fresh when you whisk them in.
Can you freeze chicken salad with eggs?
No. Eggs leave a lot of water when they are frozen. Aside from this, they also tend to become rubbery in texture when frozen. If you want a fresh-looking chicken salad after it is frozen, never freeze it eggs on it.
Can you freeze chicken salad with miracle whip?
Yes, and it is better than freezing chicken salad with mayo. It freezes well, the chicken and the other ingredients would not separate after thawing and you would expect a perfect quality of chicken salad even after freezing it for five days.
Can you freeze chicken salad with Greek yogurt?
Nope. Greek yogurt is less capable than mayo in holding itself in the freezer. If you experiment on freezing chicken salad with Greek yogurt (or any yogurt for that matter), all you will get is a gooey, thawed spread mess. So, no. Skip freezing if it has Greek yogurt on it.
Can you freeze hot chicken salad?
Hot chicken salad is different from the traditional chicken salad that we know because it is baked in the oven. It is called as such because it must be served like a hot chicken casserole and not as the cold chicken salad spread that we put on our bread. But like the chicken salad that we are used to, hot chicken salad can also be frozen.
Can you freeze chicken salad with grapes?
No. Grapes is considered as a watery fruit and if you mix it in the chicken salad for freezing, it will lose its crispness inside the freezer.
Other than that, its moisture will add on the excess liquid in the chicken salad, altering its consistency and taste after it is thawed. If you really want to add pickles or grapes, or other fruits in your chicken salad, just separate them in another bag to be frozen.
Can you freeze rotisserie chicken salad?
First, one rotisserie chicken makes a very large batch of chicken salad. When it comes to rotisserie chicken salad, it is advised that the chicken and the salad ingredients must be frozen separately. Only get the needed amount per batch to keep the chicken salad fresh.
Related: 50 Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
How to freeze chicken salad
It is recommended that chicken salad be frozen the same day it is made or a day after it is mixed. So, to freeze the chicken salad, you must:
- Prepare freezer-safe bags.
- Remove as much air from the bags as possible. (*You can use vacuum seal in keeping the air out of the container, but it does not guarantee that the chicken salad will hold its texture, taste and consistency while in the freezer.
- Scoop the chicken salad based on your average consumption of the spread.
- Label each bag with the date of freezing.
- Next, flatten the freezer bags and place them in the coldest part of the freezer. This way, you are sure that they will freeze evenly, making them easier to thaw afterwards.
- Store the chicken salad bags in the freezer for up to three months.
How to thaw frozen chicken salad
It is advised that frozen chicken salad must be thawed in the refrigerator only. Leave it to soften for at least three hours. Check for excess liquids and discard them from the bag. After this, have a taste test of the chicken salad. Add more mayo, miracle whip, or yogurt if necessary. You can also add more greens, pickles or fruits.
Just a few reminders in thawing chicken salad: one, never take it out of the fridge midway into thawing, two, never transfer it in the counter to thaw at room temperature, and three, microwave thawing is a big no for chicken salad.
How to use frozen chicken salad
So now that you know the dos and don’ts in freezing chicken salad, the next question is how do you use or serve it? To put your own version of frozen chicken salad to the test, here are the dishes that you should do with it:
- As sandwich spread
- Chicken salad on pita
- Chicken salad on lettuce
- Chicken salad quesadillas
- Chicken melt
- Chicken salad tortilla wrap
Related: Can You Freeze Cabbage? – The Best Way
How long can you keep chicken salad in the fridge?
Before we dive into this question, you must make sure that the chicken salad has not been sitting in the counter at room temperature for more than two hours.
If you are sure that it had not exceeded that time, seal it in an airtight container and leave it in the fridge. It can last there for five days. If it goes more than five days, have a smell or taste test first before using it as spread.
How would you know if the chicken salad has gone bad?
The most noticeable signs would be the off smell that it has after opening the lid. You can also check for discoloration or the presence of molds in the bags. If it does not have these two indicators, take a small drop, and taste it. If it is too sour, or with a hint of bitter aftertaste, ditch it and make a fresh batch.
Conclusion
Chicken salad is a mainstay in parties and family events. We all cannot get enough of it because it is creamy, sour, salty, with a pinch of sweetness, in one spread.
There is no wonder as to why someone would make more than the chicken salad they need. While it does not have a great freezer life, the good news is you can always make a new, fresh batch whenever you crave for it.
How To Freeze Chicken Salad
It is recommended that chicken salad be frozen the same day it is made or a day after it is mixed. So, to freeze the chicken salad, you must:
Materials
- freezer-safe bags
Tools
- Freezer
Instructions
- Remove as much air from the bags as possible. (*You can use vacuum seal in keeping the air out of the container, but it does not guarantee that the chicken salad will hold its texture, taste and consistency while in the freezer.
- Scoop the chicken salad based on your average consumption of the spread.
- Label each bag with the date of freezing.
- Next, flatten the freezer bags and place them in the coldest part of the freezer. This way, you are sure that they will freeze evenly, making them easier to thaw afterwards.
- Store the chicken salad bags in the freezer for up to three months.
