So, you’ve made a big batch of chicken salad and now you’re staring at your fridge wondering, “What on earth am I gonna do with all this?” Trust me, I’ve been there! Chicken salad is one of those amazing dishes that’s super versatile but somehow we always end up making WAY too much.
Well, today I’m sharing all my favorite tricks for using up leftover chicken salad that’ll have you purposely making extra next time! As someone who absolutely adores chicken salad (seriously, I could eat it every day), I’ve experimented with tons of different ways to enjoy it beyond the classic sandwich.
Why Chicken Salad Is Worth Getting Creative With
Before we dive into all the yummy ways to use chicken salad let’s talk about why it’s such a fantastic starting point
- It’s already packed with flavor – Whether you made a classic version with mayo and celery or something fancy with nuts and dried fruit, you’ve already got a flavor-packed base
- The protein factor – Chicken salad gives you that satisfying protein that makes any meal more filling
- It’s versatile – The creamy, savory nature of chicken salad pairs surprisingly well with lots of different textures and flavors
- Quick meal solutions – When you’ve already got chicken salad prepped, you’re halfway to dozens of different meals!
Now, let’s get into all the delicious ways you can transform your chicken salad leftovers!
Simple Swaps Beyond Basic Sandwiches
Don’t get me wrong – a classic chicken salad sandwich is AMAZING. But there’s so much more you can do with just a few simple swaps:
1. Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter, low-carb option scoop your chicken salad into large lettuce leaves. I find romaine or butter lettuce works best here – they’ve got that perfect cup shape that holds everything together. Plus, the crisp lettuce adds a refreshing crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy chicken salad.
2. Stuffed Veggies
Hollow out some veggies and fill ’em up! Here are some of my faves:
- Celery boats – A classic for a reason! The crunch is so satisfying
- Bell pepper halves – Sweet and colorful “bowls” for your chicken salad
- Cucumber rounds – Cut thick slices and scoop out some of the middle
- Avocado halves – The creaminess of avocado pairs PERFECTLY with chicken salad
- Tomato cups – Hollow out tomatoes for an elegant presentation
3. Pita Pockets
Stuff your chicken salad into a pita pocket with some extra lettuce, tomato slices, and maybe a drizzle of tzatziki for a Mediterranean twist. It’s less messy than a sandwich and feels like a whole different meal!
4. Croissants & Specialty Breads
Level up from basic bread with these options
- Buttery croissants (my personal fave!)
- Bagels (especially everything bagels!)
- Ciabatta rolls
- Naan bread
- Waffles (yes, seriously – try it!)
Chicken Salad as a Topping or Mix-In
5. Loaded Salads
Transform your chicken salad into a complete meal by using it as a protein topper for greens:
- Cobb Salad Twist – Layer your chicken salad over romaine with hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese, and bacon bits
- Mediterranean Style – Mix chicken salad with greens, bell peppers, feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes
- Simple Garden Salad – Add a scoop of chicken salad to any basic green salad for instant protein
6. Grain Bowls
Chicken salad works surprisingly well with warm grains! Try it over:
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Farro
- Barley
- Couscous
The contrast between the warm grains and cool chicken salad is so satisfying.
7. Loaded Potatoes
This is one of my absolute FAVORITES when I’m craving comfort food:
- Bake a potato (sweet or regular) until tender
- Split it open and fluff the insides
- Top with a generous scoop of chicken salad
- Add extras like shredded cheese, bacon bits, scallions, or a dollop of sour cream
It’s like a loaded baked potato on steroids!
8. Soup Partner
Believe it or not, chicken salad makes an awesome addition to soup:
- Float a scoop on top of tomato soup
- Mix into chicken broth for a quick chicken and rice soup
- Add to potato soup for extra flavor and protein
Chicken Salad in Hot Dishes
Yeah, you can actually heat up chicken salad for some seriously delicious dishes!
9. Savory Crepes
Make or buy some simple crepes, fill them with chicken salad, roll them up, and even add a light sauce on top. For an extra-fancy touch, sprinkle with fresh herbs. It feels so much more special than a basic sandwich.
10. Chicken Salad Quiche
This is PERFECT for using up a large batch of leftover chicken salad:
- Prepare a pie crust (store-bought is fine!)
- Spread a layer of chicken salad in the bottom
- Top with beaten eggs, a splash of milk, and shredded cheese
- Bake until golden and set
It’s amazing for brunch or even dinner with a side salad.
11. Hot Chicken Salad Casserole
For a comforting dinner:
- Mix your chicken salad with some chicken broth
- Add extra diced celery for crunch
- Stir in some shredded cheese
- Top with crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
- Bake until hot and bubbly
Chicken Salad as an Appetizer
12. Stuffed Pastry Cups
Grab some mini phyllo cups from the freezer section (or make your own from puff pastry in a mini muffin tin). Fill with chicken salad and garnish with a tiny herb leaf or piece of red bell pepper. Instant fancy appetizer!
13. Dip with a Twist
Turn your chicken salad into a party dip:
- Hollow out a round loaf of bread
- Fill with chicken salad
- Serve with bread cubes, crackers, and veggie sticks for dipping
14. Endive Bites
For an elegant appetizer that’s also low-carb, fill endive leaves with small scoops of chicken salad and garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh herbs.
Chicken Salad Goes International
15. Fusion Tacos
Fill soft or hard taco shells with chicken salad, then add taco toppings like:
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado slices
- Shredded cheese
- A drizzle of hot sauce
16. Spring Rolls
Use rice paper wrappers to roll up chicken salad with julienned vegetables, fresh herbs, and avocado for a refreshing twist.
What to Serve With Your Chicken Salad Creations
No matter how you serve your chicken salad, these sides complement it perfectly:
Fresh Fruits
Fruit provides a sweet contrast to savory chicken salad:
- Grapes (a classic pairing!)
- Sliced apples
- Berries
- Melon wedges
Veggie Options
- Sweet potato chips
- Carrot fries (roasted carrot sticks)
- Roasted radishes (they taste surprisingly like potatoes!)
- Asparagus spears
- Cauliflower muffins (made in a muffin tin with cauliflower rice, cheese and egg)
Pickled Things
The tangy acidity cuts through the richness:
- Classic dill pickles
- Pickled cucumbers
- Marinated tomatoes with vinegar
- Pickled red onions
Tips for Refreshing Leftover Chicken Salad
If your chicken salad has been in the fridge for a day or two, it might need a little reviving:
- Add moisture – Mix in a little extra mayo, Greek yogurt, or sour cream if it seems dry
- Freshen it up – Stir in some fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice
- New texture – Add crunchy elements like fresh diced celery, water chestnuts, or nuts
- Flavor boost – Incorporate a dollop of Dijon mustard, curry powder, or your favorite spice blend
Remember, for food safety, chicken salad should be consumed within 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
Ingredient Boosters for Basic Chicken Salad
If you want to jazz up your chicken salad before using it in these creative ways, consider adding:
- Fresh fruit – Grapes, diced apples, or avocado
- Dried fruit – Cranberries, golden raisins, cherries, or chopped apricots
- Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, or cashews
- Spice mixes – Curry powder, ras el hanout, or your favorite blend
- Pickled elements – Dill pickles, cornichons, or pickled peppers
- Fresh herbs – Dill, tarragon, or basil
- Hard-boiled eggs – For extra protein and richness
- Condiments – Hot sauce, chutney, or different mustards
Final Thoughts
See? That leftover chicken salad is actually liquid gold in your fridge! With all these creative ways to use it up, you’ll never get bored or waste a single scoop.
Next time you’re staring at that container of chicken salad in your fridge, remember – you’ve got options WAY beyond just another sandwich. Get creative and enjoy!
What’s your fave way to use up leftover chicken salad? I’m always looking for new ideas!
Chicken Salad (the leftover dream)
- 1 leftover roast chicken (I made extra especially to have an extra meal on hand)
- leftover fregola from last night’s chicken dinner (similar to this)
- 1 bunch of radishes (preferably with tops but that’s optional)
- 2 courgettes, dressed with lemon zest & juice, olive oil (or garlic oil) salt, basil & dill
- a bowl of salad leaves, I added a thinly sliced fennel bulb and dressed in a basic vinaigrette
- Gather a large serving plate ready to to be your canvas for this salad.
- I had a couple of courgettes in the fridge, so I thinly sliced them on a mandolin and placed them in a bowl with a good pinch of salt, lemon juice and zest and some garlic oil (you can use olive oil if you don’t have any garlic oil to hand). Let them sit while you get everything else ready.
- I used a bunch of radishes here for crunch – I love the peppery leaves and kept some on when cutting them into halves and quarters, but you do you!
- I dressed a bowl of leaves with a simple vinaigrette and added my last lonely fennel bulb to the leaves alongside some fresh herbs for a burst of flavour
- I cut the chicken into pieces, keeping the sliced breasts and wings seprate from the legs and thighs, but you can also shred your chicken (I often do this when I don’t have a whole chicken left).
- Before plating I added some chopped dill and basil to the courgettes.
- To plate, I piled my dressed salad leaves high up in the middle of the plate, adding 2 section each of leftover herbed lemony fregola from the night before, my chicken pieces, salted radishes and macerated dressed courgettes into sections all around the plate and bingo – we had dinner.
- Here is a list of mix and match suggestions for you so that this idea can also be a staple in your kitchens. Have fun with it! And please show me what you make xx
- Roast / Rotisserie chicken of any kind
- Roast / Grilled Salmon
- Seared Tuna
- Leftover Roast Beef
- Smoked Mackerel
- Smoked Salmon (hot or cold)
- Braised beans (butter, cannellini, borlotti)
- Braised Puy Lentils
- Jammy eggs
- Rice
- Freekeh
- Farro
- Spelt
- Sweet potato
- Squash
- Toasted sourdough
- Orzo
- Leftover roasted root veg
- A pile of crackers or pita chips
How to Make Chicken Salad | Chicken Salad Recipe | Lunch Ideas | Canned Chicken Recipes
FAQ
What’s the best way to eat chicken salad?
Straight. Sometimes the best way to eat chicken salad is with a fork directly from the bowl.Apr 22, 2021