Could you have cooked some chicken but you could not finish it since it was too big? And now you are thinking about using it next time but in another way. Maybe a chicken salad.
You wish to make the salad, but you do not know if it will be okay until you use it again. Freezing is the first thing on your mind. But can you freeze chicken salad? Let us dive down to see how possible it is.
What’s the recipe for chicken salad?
You want the easiest chicken salad to make, but you do not have any option? You do not need to worry. Most recipes with chicken are quite easy to follow. Besides, it won’t take much of your time. Check below this simple recipe.
Homemade chicken salad
You can try out different recipes with your chicken salad. But here is one that you will love without a doubt. It includes avocado, which serves in the place of mayonnaise. So, if you do not like fatty mayonnaise, be sure avocado is the best for your body since it contains no chemicals.
What you need
- Cooked and chopped chicken, 1 cup
- 1 Avocado, peel and remove the seed
- Celery, ¼ cup
- Red onion, ¼ cup, chopped
- Parsley, chopped, 2 tbsps.
- Lemon juice, 2 tsp.
- Kosher salt, ½ tsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Sandwich bread
- 1 peeled and chopped apple
Steps
- Put in a bowl your chopped chicken, apple, celery, avocado, and red onion. Use a fork to gently stir the mix so that they combine well.
- Add the other ingredients, parsley, black pepper, salt, lime juice. Add more salt and lime juice to taste. If you feel like the mix is dry, add some little olive oil.
- Place the salad in a bowl, then cover it. Ensure no part of the chicken salad is exposed to air. Please keep it in the fridge.
- Serve the salad on sandwich bread or salad greens. Your family should enjoy this meal.
How long does chicken salad last?
Chicken salad can last for three to five days before it goes bad. It can only reach these days if you store it in proper conditions. A fridge or a freezer is always ideal. Do not store it at room temperature.
Does chicken salad go bad?
Yes, chicken salad goes bad. If you see any of these signs, kindly throw it away to avoid stomach upsets or bacterial infection.
Signs That Chicken Salad Has Gone Bad?
Molds: if you notice molds on the chicken salad’s surface, do not take any chance with it. It is spoilt; throw it away. You may see a fuzzy appearance. Any other impression that does not look good shows it is not suitable for the stomach.
A funny color: if you notice a different color other than the one you first saw when preparing the salad, it is a sign that it is not good food for you.
Smell: what does your nose say? If it feels any funny smell, has nothing to do with the salad.
Taste: I believe that once you see any of the above signs, you will take the chicken salad where it belongs. I do not expect you to taste it. Anyway, if you do not see any of the above, you may innocently add the salad to your dish. If you feel an off-taste, please do not take a second bite.
How it has stayed in the fridge: if it has been in the refrigerator for more than five days, it is spoilt. It may not show any of the signs above, but it is not okay for your tummy.
Moisture: You should pay attention to the water that the salad drains in the container you store it. You will always see the liquid, especially if one of your ingredients is oil. The liquid is a ripe place for bacteria to grow. So, if it has been in the fridge for some days and you see the fluid, kindly do not consume the salad.
Texture: You may notice a change in the chicken salad’s texture if you see it stuck on the freezing container. This sign shows that it is almost going rancid.
Tips for freezing the chicken salad
If you want to have the best chicken salad anytime you wish to use it, consider these tips.
Tip #1: If you have made a salad that forms liquid on the bowl quickly, do not add the dressing. You can put the dressing and salad in a separate bowl. You can also consider making a new dressing every time you want to use the chicken salad. So, you can be sure that your salad will be of good quality for some good time.
Tip #2: Pour the liquid. If the chicken salad has excess liquid, always pour it and freeze it when dry.
Tip#3: if the salad loses its taste after thawing, you can consider adding some mayonnaise salt or pepper.
Tip #4: Do not keep the salad out of the freezer for too long. If it stays at room temperature for some time, you can avoid freezing it.
Tip #5: Ensure that you thaw the frozen chicken salad entirely before adding it to your meal. Thawing can take up to six hours.
Tip #6: Do not use a microwave to thaw your frozen chicken salad.
Tip #7: Do not thaw the same chicken salad more than three times. Consider throwing it away if it refuses to end.
How to freeze chicken salad?
So you have used the chicken salad, but you see too much of it remains? What can you do about it? Please do not throw it away; it is never good manners to throw food unless it is spoilt.
I believe the first thing to ring on your mind is to freeze it. So, how can you go about it? Use these steps to freeze this meal and keep it for subsequent use.
- Put your chicken salad in a large bowl.
- Stir gently with a spoon to mix well every item in the chicken salad.
- Scoop the chicken salad, then add in your freezing container or bags. Do not add too much in one container to have an easy time thawing it when you need it.
- If you are using a freezing bag, press it to remove excess air, then seal.
- Note the date on the container. You will know how long it has lasted in the freezer. Do not use a chicken salad that has been in the freezer for more than three months.
- Place the bags or containers in the freezer one at a time
How long can you freeze chicken salad in the Freezer/fridge?
Your mixed chicken salad can stay in the freezer for up to three months. What you need to make sure of is that you seal it tightly. If you separate the ingredients in the salad, each can last up to six months in the freezer. The only condition is to ensure that you store them correctly.
Unlike the freezer that can preserve your chicken salad, a fridge is quite different. The chicken can only be in good condition for up to five days. After these days, you will have to throw it away because it will be spoilt.
How to defrost chicken salad
Defrosting chicken salad will depend on how quickly you want to use it in your recipe. Is it an impromptu meal, and you must use the salad? Put your frozen chicken salad in a bowl of cold water. It will thaw in the next one or two hours.
You should change the water as soon as it turns icy or after every thirty minutes until your salad completely thaws. Ensure that the water does not enter inside the salad.
The best place to defrost your chicken salad is in the fridge. You will need to leave the frozen salad inside overnight or for around twelve hours for it to thaw. So, if you want to include the chicken salad in your next 24 hours meal, put it in the fridge overnight.
Remember, the over-the-counter or bowl method is unsafe. You will be exposing your food to bacteria. However, when you add the salad to cooked food, the heat should destroy the bacteria.
How to thaw chicken salad?
Thawing other foods or cheese looks relatively easy. Thawing chicken salad is quite different but not so far from the others. Use these steps to defrost it.
- Move the salad from the freezer to the fridge if you want to use the chicken salad some hours after it thaws.
- Let it stay in the fridge until it completely thaws. Staying overnight is better.
- Empty the chicken salad from the freezing bag into a large bowl and drain any water from the salad. If you remove the liquid, your salad taste should be better.
- Stir the chicken salad using a spoon. If you like it is not thick enough, you can add some corn starch. If it is pretty soggy, add some nuts, vegetables, or other dressing to improve its texture.
- You are now free to enjoy the chicken salad. You can also fill it in sandwiches. Remember to consume it within a day or two.
Uses for thawed chicken salad
You can use your thawed chicken salad in many ways. Some of them include:
Take the salad as it is. The chicken salad is a complete diet. After you thaw it, you can take it as a treat. If you want it fresher, you can add some new dressing.
Use it as a fill-in sandwich. It can be the best dish in the morning, at noon or even dinner.
FAQs
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad with Mayonnaise?
Yes, you can freeze your chicken salad with mayonnaise. The only issue is that mayo does not freeze well, and when you thaw the salad, it separates from the other contents. So, the quality of your chicken salad becomes poor. It would be best to avoid the freezing part if your chicken salad has mayonnaise.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad Wraps?
Yes. Wraps behave well when you freeze them. So, you can feel free to freeze your chicken salad wraps anytime.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt?
Yes. You can add Greek yogurt to your chicken salad before freezing. However, it does not add anything to the salad but only changes the texture. If you want to improve the texture, you can add in more Greek yogurt. The only problem is that not everyone will fancy it.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad with Eggs?
Egg yolks freeze well, unlike egg whites. So, if you love yolks, you can go ahead and freeze them with your chicken salad.
Summary
Now you know what to do with your leftover chicken salad. I believe you have got the answer to your query about, can you freeze chicken salad. You can now feel free, go ahead and preserve it for your next meal.
You only need to ensure that you store it well if you want it to stay longer.
