Hot Chicken Salad
Hot Chicken Salad is a delicious way to use leftover chicken to enjoy on a chilly day. This easy salad is served hot with tender chicken, celery, green pepper, and slivered almonds enveloped in a creamy, flavourful dressing.
You typically see chicken salads served cold. That’s fine and dandy. They are delicious. But Hot Chicken Salad? OMG. So so good!
If I had to choose between hot and cold, I’d choose hot any day. Once you try this easy recipe, you’ll see why. Serve it as a main dish or side dish. It’s so versatile for any occasion. It’s perfect for potlucks (including bridal showers or baby showers), parties, lunch, or dinner. It’s a crowd favorite.
The best part? You can use chicken leftovers to create a mouthwatering meal for your family. This comfort food will be the star of the show.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A twist on a traditional chicken salad
- Great choice to make for a gathering
- Easy way to use up leftover chicken
- Simple recipe ready to enjoy in 20 minutes
- A wonderful addition to your recipe box for quick weeknight meals
- Can also be served as a savory dip-style casserole
- Each bite is creamy and flavorful
- Made with no canned soup
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
There’s nothing fancy about this salad. Just simple and wholesome ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Cooked chicken – I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Celery
- Onion
- Green pepper
- Butter – Either salted or unsalted butter.
- Lemon juice
- Slivered almonds
- Mayonnaise
- Salt
- Black pepper
How to Make Hot Chicken Salad
Follow along to learn how to make hot chicken salad!
- Step One: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, green peppers, and celery. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Step Two: Stir in cooked chicken, lemon juice and salt. Reduce heat to low and cover for 5 minutes.
- Step Three: Remove skillet from heat and stir in mayonnaise and almonds. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
What to Serve with It
- Green salad
- Soup – Try my Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Bread or crackers
- Fresh fruit
- Rice
How to Serve
There are a few different ways you can enjoy this Hot Chicken Salad recipe.
- Serve it alone in a bowl
- Add it to a pita or wrap
- Make a sandwich
- Serve it on a bed of rice
You can also eat it cold. I know it’s called Hot Chicken Salad, but if you refrigerate it and want to eat it right away, that’s fine, too. I prefer it hot, but it still tastes good cold.
Variations and Substitutions
- Substitute cream of chicken soup, sour cream, or Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.
- Mix in some chopped water chestnuts for extra crunch.
- Garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color and flavor.
- Substitute crushed potato chips or crispy fried onions for the slivered almonds.
- Mix in shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Use leftover chicken if you have any. Dark meat is fine, too.
- Use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save time.
- Substitute turkey in place of the chicken. Great for leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
Storage Instructions
Store the leftover hot creamy chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Do not leave it to sit out longer than 2 hours for food safety.
How to Reheat
Add to a casserole dish and cover in aluminum foil. Reheat at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes or until heated through.
You can also reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes on high heat.
Can I Freeze?
No, I don’t recommend freezing it because it is a mayonnaise-based dressing. Upon thawing, it will separate and become watery.
FAQ
Yes, you can use canned chicken in hot chicken salad. First, drain the liquid from the can and flake the chicken with a fork so it will blend easily with the other ingredients. It’s an affordable option to try when you’re short on time or don’t have any fresh chicken.
Yes, you can use turkey or ham instead of chicken. Both options are popular variations. Use the same ingredients and method.
Chicken Salad Recipes
Want more Chicken Salad recipes?
- Chicken Salad with Grapes
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Mustard Chicken Salad
- Taco Chicken Salad
- Famous Curried Chicken Salad
- Classic Chicken Salad.
- Chicken BLT Salad
You might also like this Italian Pasta Salad and Tuna Salad.
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Hot Chicken Salad
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Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup onions minced
- ⅔ cup green pepper chopped
- 3 cups celery chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- 4 cups chicken cooked, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add butter to a skillet over medium heat and melt. Stir in onions, green peppers and celery. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Stir in cooked chicken, lemon juice and salt. Reduce heat to low and cover for 5 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in mayonnaise and almonds. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Delicious. I didn’t have almonds but sprinkled can of french fried onion on top. Otherwise followed recipe exactly. Delicious.
That seems test like so amazing and I just going to haven Thanks for that.
FANTASTIC RECIPE!! CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE SOME FOR MY FAMILY!!
Absolutely perfect way to use leftovers for my office lunch …. Thank you Stacie and enjoy your day 🙂