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We love making chicken salad for lunch or for a family BBQ. But there is always so much leftover. Then someone asked Can you freeze chicken salad?

Close up image of chicken salad on a croissant.
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Can you Freeze Chicken Salad?

A batch of Chicken Salad is one of those recipes that I can make over and over. It is just so good and easy to make. I have made it for a quick lunch for the week or a friends baby shower. It is just so good.

Whenever I have cooked chicken, I usually prepare chicken salad as I am meal prepping for the week.

But I always seem to make a lot of it, so after researching I discovered that chicken salad is freezer friendly. It just needs to be prepped and stored well, then the chicken salad will do well in the freezer.

Close up image of chicken salad on a green salad

Can you freeze Chicken salad with Mayo?

Yes, you can. We recommend after preparing homemade chicken salad with mayonnaise or miracle whip salad dressing it is store in air tight freezer containers or freezer bags. Make sure to store within about an hour or at room temperature.

This helps to retain the freshness and prevents any bacteria from getting to it.

How to defrost Chicken Salad?

When you are ready to serve your frozen chicken salad, just simple take out of the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. If it appears watery, just give it a good stir to make sure all the ingredients are combined.

You might need to add a little more mayonnaise to thicken up the consistency.

Close up image of chicken salad on a croissant.

How long does Chicken Salad last in the Freezer?

You chicken salad will last about 3 months in the freezer as long as it is stored properly. Using the freezer bags or air tight containers ensure that you will be able to enjoy your chicken salad again.

Make sure to let it thaw properly and it will be just as tasty on a croissant or a big green salad.

Can you freeze Chicken Salad with egg?

Eggs can be a little tricky when it comes freezing in the chicken salad. You will find that some recipes have you add a hard-boiled egg into your mix. The egg whites do not do well frozen as they become very rubbery. Also, it doesn’t taste as good as if you just prepared it.

You can however freeze the chicken salad with the egg yolk. If you must add the hard boiled egg and you are planning on freezing it, just mix in the egg yolk or add the egg in when you are ready to serve.

Can you freeze Chicken with Yogurt?

Preparing chicken salad with greek yogurt is a great alternative to using mayo. But yogurt does not freeze well when mixed with chicken salad. When frozen the protein content causes the yogurt to break down when thawing. I would avoid freezing chicken salad with yogurt.

If you prefer to use yogurt just prepare and serve it the same day. Preparing your chicken salad with yogurt will taste much better. It is not fun wasting time and money.

Close up image of chicken salad on a croissant.

How long can you keep Chicken Salad in the fridge?

It is recommended that you serve your chicken salad within about 3 to 5 days of preparing it.

Chicken salad is a great option for lunch or for a quick dinner. Be sure to serve within a few days of making it.

Chicken Salad Freezer Tips:

  • Freeze Chicken Salad sandwiches within an hour of preparing.
  • Store Chicken Salad in individual portions in proper freezer containers.
  • Remove excess liquid
  • Chicken Salad will last about 2 -3 months in the freezer
  • Thaw Chicken Salad in the refrigerator to avoid contamination of it being set out to long.
  • You can freeze Costco Chicken Salad. I separate in individual portions so that it freezes properly.
Close up image of chicken salad on a croissant.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipes:

We love preparing chicken salad sandwiches. It is a great meal to serve on a hot summer day or really anytime of the year. Make sure when preparing it that you do not let it sit out for long. Especially on a hot day.

With foods that contain, mayo or yogurt if left set out to long it gives the chances of higher contamination. So it is important to make sure that it is either stored in the refrigerator or freezer using these steps.

Try one of our Chicken Salad Recipes:

A croissant sandwich filled with the best chicken salad recipe and leafy greens is served on a white plate. The sandwich is accompanied by a side of potato chips, and a small sprig of fresh dill is visible in the background. The setting is light and airy.
Chicken Salad Recipe
We have the best chicken salad recipe and it is simple to make! This is so creamy and delicious. Serve it over lettuce or on croissants for a great meal.
Chicken Salad Recipe
Close up image of cucumber chicken salad
10 minute Cucumber Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
You can make this delicious Cucumber Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe in just 10 minutes. It is so tasty and the perfect meal idea for busy schedules.
10 minute Cucumber Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
Crockpot Chicken Salad
Crock Pot Chicken Salad is an easy way to prepare a classic recipe. The chicken and veggies cook tender in the slow cooker for a delicious summertime recipe.
Crockpot Chicken Salad

Print the instructions on how to freeze chicken salad here:

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5 from 3 votes

How to Freeze Chicken Salad

Can you freeze chicken salad? We can show you how to freeze chicken salad correctly. So you can still enjoy it even after being frozen.
Prep Time5 minutes
Freeze Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 frozen container
Cost: $1

Equipment

  • 1 freezer bag or freezer container

Ingredients

  • Prepared Chicken Salad

Instructions

  • Place the chicken salad in an air tight freezer container or freezer bag.
  • Make sure to get as much air out of the container as possible.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • To Defrost:
  • When you are ready to serve the chicken salad, defrost the chicken salad out over night in the refrigerator.
  • It will appear slightly watery, stir to re-combine all the ingredients.
  • Review the consistency and add more mayonnaise to thicken the chicken salad if needed.

Notes

Freeze Chicken Salad sandwiches within an hour of preparing.
Store Chicken Salad in individual portions in proper freezer containers. 
Remove excess liquid from the chicken salad before freezing.  

More Freezer Tips:

Can you freeze chicken salad? We can show you how to freeze chicken salad correctly. So you can still enjoy it even after being frozen. You’ll love this tip on how to freeze homemade chicken salad.  #eatingonadime #freezingtips #howtofreeze #chickensalad

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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