Chicken salad is a delicious staple in many Southern kitchens. It’s tasty on sandwiches, in wraps, on top of salads, and paired with crackers. Making a big batch means leftovers to enjoy for a few days. But exactly how long will homemade or store-bought chicken salad stay fresh and safe to eat?
I did some research to find out. Here’s a detailed look at how to store chicken salad and how long it lasts in the fridge or cooler before spoiling.
Why Chicken Salad Goes Bad
Two types of bacteria are to blame when chicken salad goes bad:
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Spoilage bacteria causes off smells, textures and tastes but generally does not make you sick.
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Pathogenic bacteria causes foodborne illness but usually doesn’t affect the taste, smell or look of food
That’s why you can’t rely on smell, taste, or sight to know if chicken salad has harmful bacteria. It’s better to be safe and toss it when in doubt.
Factors That Shorten Shelf Life
Several factors work together to shorten the shelf life and freshness of chicken salad
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Temperature – Bacteria multiply rapidly at temps between 40°F and 140°F known as the danger zone.
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Oxygen – Exposure to air can encourage bacteria growth.
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Time – The longer chicken salad sits, the more time bacteria has to multiply.
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Acidity – Bacteria prefer a neutral pH environment.
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Moisture – Wet environments allow bacteria to thrive.
How To Keep Chicken Salad Fresh Longer
With an understanding of what causes spoilage, we can store chicken salad to counter those factors:
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Keep chicken salad refrigerated at 40°F or below.
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Use an airtight container to limit air exposure.
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Add a splash of vinegar or citrus juice for acidity.
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Limit time spent in the danger zone during transport and serving.
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Consume within 4 days and don’t freeze it.
Even with proper storage, homemade chicken salad should not be eaten after 4 days.
Shelf Life of Store-Bought Chicken Salad
The timeline depends on whether chicken salad is homemade or store-bought:
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Homemade: 3 to 4 days
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Store-bought: Follow expiration date on package
The clock starts when the chicken salad is removed from the fridge or cooler, including time spent in the grocery cart and travel home.
How To Tell If Chicken Salad Is Bad
Relying on sight, smell or taste is risky with chicken salad. But here are some clear signs it has spoiled:
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Mold growing
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Slimy texture
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Watery consistency
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Unpleasant odor
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Discoloration or gray tint
When in doubt, throw it out. Consuming spoiled chicken salad can cause serious illness. Don’t eat chicken salad that is past its prime.
Tips To Use Leftovers
To use chicken salad within the 3-4 day window:
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Add new ingredients like nuts, fruit, spices.
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Make wraps, sandwiches, melts.
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Pair with crackers or serve on a salad.
Just be sure to finish it within 4 days and don’t leave it sitting out for long periods.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
Freezing is not recommended. Thawed chicken salad usually has an undesirable watery texture and altered flavor. Although frozen food stays below the 40°F safety zone, the quality suffers with frozen chicken salad.
Storing Other Deli Salads
The same rules apply to any mayonnaise-based salad such as tuna, egg, potato, pasta, or seafood salad. Store deli salads in the fridge in a sealed container for no more than 4 days.
The Bottom Line
Chicken salad and other mayo-based salads should only be kept for 3-4 days. Monitor the temperature, exposure to air, and age of the chicken salad. Discard when in doubt and don’t rely on sight, smell or taste to determine if it’s gone bad. With proper refrigerated storage in an airtight container, you can safely enjoy chicken salad for up to 4 days.
Understanding Shelf Life and What Affects Chicken Salad Longevity
There isn’t a single, universal answer to the question, “How long does chicken salad last?”
Several factors can affect its shelf life:
The Main Ingredient, Cooked Chicken
Chicken is the star of chicken salad but it is also the ingredient most susceptible to spoilage. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends storing cooked chicken (including rotisserie chicken) in the refrigerator for only 3-4 days.
This is because cooked chicken is a prime target for bacterial growth, especially at room temperature.
The Binding Agent, Creamy Mayonnaise
That creamy dressing we all love in a chicken salad can also contribute to spoilage.
Mayonnaise is a high-moisture emulsion, meaning it contains both oil and water. This is a breeding ground for bacteria.
While some substitutes like sour cream or plain Greek yogurt might offer slight variations in shelf life, they still require proper storage.
Other Ingredients
While not the main culprits, other common ingredients can also affect shelf life. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and green onions add freshness to a chicken salad but have a shorter shelf life themselves.
Fresh herbs like dill or parsley are wonderful flavor enhancers, but they can wilt and brown and contribute to overall spoilage if not stored correctly.
So What’s the Solution?
Proper refrigeration is key. I always store my chicken salad, homemade or store-bought, in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Immediately after preparation or purchase, it goes right back in the fridge.
An airtight container prevents contamination from other foods and helps maintain moisture levels.
How long would chicken Salad last in the fridge?
FAQ
How long does chicken salad with mayonnaise last in the fridge?
Can I eat 7 day old chicken salad?
How can you tell if chicken salad has gone bad?
Chicken salad that has gone bad will typically exhibit several noticeable signs: an off or sour smell, a change in texture (becoming slimy or watery), and discoloration (graying or other unusual color changes).
How long is canned chicken salad good for in the fridge?
How long does chicken salad last at room temperature?
After about two hours at room temperature, you probably have to throw your chicken salad away. 2 hours isn’t enough time for the growing bacteria to change the color or taste of your food, but if you notice a slight change in odor or appearance, you should probably throw it away.
Does chicken salad expire?
Unfortunately, leftover chicken or tuna salad has a quick expiration date, especially if prepared with a dairy-based salad dressing. It’s vital to use food safety measures when storing these types of salads, but there are ways to extend their shelf life to enjoy them later. How Long Does Chicken Salad Stay Fresh at Room Temperature?
Can chicken salad be refrigerated?
It is best to store your chicken salad in a container with a lid that can help keep the air out. Apart from prolonging the lifespan inside the fridge, it would keep your chicken salad from absorbing the flavors of other food items in the refrigerator. Your chicken salad lasts only as long as the ingredients in it.
Does chicken salad go bad at room temperature?
Keeping chicken salad fresh in the fridge is the way to go to prevent spoilage, and there are ways to keep your salad from going bad while it sits out at room temperature. Not only that, but it’s also easy to freeze chicken salad to keep it even longer, depending on the ingredients. How Long Does Chicken Salad Stay Fresh at Room Temperature?
Can you eat chicken salad after 3 days?
But if it has been properly stored, you can eat it within five days. Vegetables would begin to lose their nutritional value after 3 days in the fridge. The right time to eat your chicken salad that has been stored in the fridge for its best quality and nutritional value is within the first three days.
How long does it take to eat chicken salad?
But once you’ve shredded your chicken, chopped your add-ins, and mixed in mayo, you only have three to four days to enjoy it, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Two main ingredients in chicken salad are ripe for harboring bacteria: cooked chicken and mayo.