Rotisserie chicken salad is a delicious and convenient dish that can be made quickly with leftover rotisserie chicken. But an important question is, how long does the rotisserie chicken keep and stay safe to eat in the salad? Here is a comprehensive guide on how long rotisserie chicken lasts in chicken salad stored in the fridge and how to tell if it has gone bad.
Overview of Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Rotisserie chicken salad is made by shredding or chopping cooked rotisserie chicken and mixing it with mayonnaise or yogurt, chopped vegetables like celery and onions, and other ingredients like grapes, cranberries, nuts, or spices. The salad makes for a tasty sandwich filler, wrap, snack, or light meal. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken shortens prep time substantially.
How Long Does Cooked Rotisserie Chicken Last in the Fridge?
Before getting into how long rotisserie chicken lasts specifically in chicken salad, it helps to know the shelf life for plain cooked rotisserie chicken stored in the refrigerator:
- Whole rotisserie chicken: 3-4 days
- Leftover rotisserie chicken meat: 3-4 days
These timelines are for rotisserie chicken stored in air-tight containers in the fridge The USDA recommends using refrigerated cooked rotisserie chicken within 3-4 days to maximize quality and safety
So when making chicken salad, it’s best to use rotisserie chicken that has been purchased within the last 3-4 days. Using freshly cooked chicken provides the best flavor and texture in the salad.
Shelf Life of Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Once rotisserie chicken is mixed into chicken salad with mayo and vegetables, how long does it last then? Here are the timelines:
- Chicken salad with mayonnaise: 3-5 days
- Chicken salad with yogurt: 5-7 days
The shelf life is slightly longer for chicken salads made with yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Yogurt has higher acidity than mayo, which helps food safety.
No matter what base you use, rotisserie chicken salad should be discarded after 5-7 days maximum. Make sure to store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Give it a stir periodically and check for signs of spoilage towards the end of its shelf life.
How to Tell if Rotisserie Chicken Salad is Bad
Rotisserie chicken has a relatively short shelf life, so it’s important to check your chicken salad for any signs of spoilage before eating it. Here are some ways to tell if your chicken salad has gone bad:
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Change in color: Fresh chicken salad should be white or pale yellow. Gray, green, or brown hues indicate spoilage.
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Sliminess: The texture becomes overly soft, mushy, or slimy.
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Off odors: Rotten chicken gives off a clearly foul, unpleasant sour or ammonia-like smell.
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Mold growth: You may see fuzzy mold somewhere on the chicken salad. Discard the entire batch if this occurs.
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Expired date: If the expiration date printed on your chicken salad container has passed, throw away the salad.
If in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your chicken salad seems at all questionable, don’t risk eating it.
Tips to Extend Usability of Chicken Salad
Here are some tips to get the most mileage out of your homemade chicken salad while still keeping it safe to eat:
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Use freshly roasted rotisserie chicken, not older leftovers
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Prepare only the amount of salad you know you’ll consume within 5-7 days
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Refrigerate promptly in airtight containers
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Use yogurt instead of mayo if you want a slightly longer shelf life
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Stir thoroughly before serving each time
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Keep leftovers in smaller shallow containers for quicker chilling
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Check frequently for signs of spoilage as it nears expiration
Following proper storage methods, using high quality ingredients, monitoring closely, and trusting your senses are the keys to maximizing how long your chicken salad stays fresh.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
Freezing is an option to prolong the shelf life of chicken salad past 5-7 days. Here are some tips for freezing rotisserie chicken salad:
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Freeze it in an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible.
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Portion the salad into usable amounts before freezing if you don’t plan to thaw the whole batch at once.
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Flatten the containers or bags to allow the salad to freeze faster.
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Label bags or containers with contents and date.
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Freeze for up to 2-3 months for best quality.
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Thaw in the refrigerator before using. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
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Use thawed chicken salad within 3-4 days. Don’t refreeze.
With proper freezing technique, you can enjoy delicious homemade chicken salad even months after initially preparing it.
Can You Make Chicken Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make rotisserie chicken salad 1-2 days before serving it. Prepare the salad, store it covered in the fridge, then give it a good stir right before eating. Making it ahead helps allow time for the flavors to meld.
Just keep in mind the total 5-7 day lifespan including time in the fridge before and after you serve the salad. For optimal food safety and quality, plan to use chicken salad within 5-7 days of initially mixing it.
The Bottom Line
When handled properly, rotisserie chicken salad made with refrigerated mayonnaise or yogurt can keep for 5-7 days total in the refrigerator. For best safety and taste, use fresh rotisserie chicken, store salad in an airtight container, monitor closely for spoilage, and freeze for longer storage. With some simple precautions, you can enjoy delicious homemade chicken salad all week long. Checking for signs of spoilage and trusting your senses are the best ways to determine if your chicken salad has gone bad after sitting in the fridge for a while.
Ingredient Tips & Adaptions
- Rotisserie Chicken: Such a time saver to buy one from the store. For a non-chunky salad, shred your chicken in a stand mixer, but be careful not to over-shred! I also remove the skin so it doesn’t feel chewy in the mixture.
- Celery
- Red Grapes: If you love fruit in your salad, you can also add diced apple.
- Red Onion
- Dried Cranberries: I prefer the reduced sugar cranberries.
- Greek Yogurt: Get the plain, non-fat version. This is the healthier base substitute for mayo and also provides additional protein.
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
- Bibb Lettuce Leaves: Use these leaves as the bed for your salad!
- Optional Toppings: Nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds), diced avocado, spices (sprinkle of tarragon, garlic, paprika, curry powder or mustard)
The recipe is quick to make as it uses a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s delicious and flavorful with ingredients like crisp red grapes, crunchy celery, sweet dried cranberries, and the red onion gives it a beautiful pop of color and mild flavor. It’s also a healthier version as this recipe uses plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for mayonnaise. It’s not too creamy and it’s not too chunky either — it’s honestly perfect.
- 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, skin removed and shredded
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 3/4 cup celery, diced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- salt and pepper
- Optional toppings: Nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds), diced avocado, spices (sprinkle of tarragon, garlic, paprika, curry powder or mustard)
- Options for serving: boston/bibb lettuce, bread (pita bread, wrap, toasted sandwich bread, or croissant), crackers, halved avocado, sliced cucumbers.
- In a large bowl, add all your ingredients (minus the toppings).
- Mix with a large spoon until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Serve in lettuce cups (or see ingredients for other serving suggestions) and sprinkle with desired toppings.
Rotisserie chicken salad will last 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, just give it a good stir each day.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Serving Suggestions
Rotisserie chicken salad will last 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, just give it a good stir each day.
- Bread: Serve your salad with lettuce and tomato on sandwich bread, a wrap, pita bread, or a croissant.
- Lettuce: Spoon the salad into bibb/boston lettuce leaves, or add a generous scoop to your salad.
- Crackers: Scoop up the salad with crackers. This makes the best snack or party appetizer.
- Cucumber slices: For a lower carb option, swap crackers for sliced cucumbers.
- Avocado: Stuff the chicken salad into a halved avocado.
Quick And Easy Rotisserie Chicken Salad | Chef Alden B
FAQ
How long is chicken salad made from rotisserie chicken good for?
Leftover chicken salad with rotisserie chicken should be kept in a tightly sealed airtight container in the fridge. It will last for 3 to 4 days. It’s a great go-to recipe to make and store for later, while keeping lots of flavor!
Is it safe to eat a rotisserie chicken after 5 days?
A quick copy of your question to google: Regardless of how it’s cooked — fried, grilled, shredded, or blackened — cooked chicken is safe to eat for three to four days, so long as it’s properly refrigerated (that means storing your rotisserie chicken at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less).
How long does cooked chicken last in salad?
USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less).
Can I eat chicken salad after 5 days?
Chicken salad can typically be kept in the fridge for 3 to 5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. To help it last longer, consider the following tips: Use Fresh Ingredients: Start with fresh chicken and vegetables to minimize spoilage.