Chicken Salad Croissants

Chicken Salad Croissant Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: Every salad needs something creamy to pull it together. Mayonnaise does a wonderful job of this but if you’re not a fan, you can use Greek yogurt or even avocado.
• Dill pickle relish: This kind of relish is briny, so it brings an extra hit of flavor to an otherwise simple salad. Feel free to use bread and butter pickles if you like a little sweetness.
• Parsley: Fresh and vibrant green, parsley is an herb that won’t overpower the other ingredients in this recipe.
• Lemon juice: Not only is it tangy, but lemon juice also brightens the flavor of the chicken salad. You can also add some lemon zest to the salad for a different, yet complementary, flavor.
• Chicken: Because it takes on the flavor of whatever it’s mixed with, chicken is one of the go-to proteins for a salad. Use a dark cut of the meat such as chicken thighs for more flavor.
• Swiss cheese: Mild and nutty, Swiss cheese adds some extra flavor without going overboard. If you prefer, substitute gouda, gruyere or provolone for the Swiss cheese.
• Croissants: The texture of a croissant is very delicate and light, so it’s best to buy fresh in this case. You can make your own croissants or try the sandwich with brioche bread instead.
• Lettuce: While the rest of this recipe is soft, lettuce adds a little crunch and fiber. We recommend using iceberg, butterhead or romaine lettuce.

Directions

Step 1: Make the sauce

Assemble the ingredients and take out a mixing bowl. Mince or chop the parsley and add it to the bowl along with the mayonnaise, relish, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Step 2: Add the chicken and cheese

Cube the chicken and Swiss cheese and add it to the bowl with the sauce. Using a spatula or large spoon, fold together all the ingredients.

Editor’s Tip: If you want to melt the cheese a bit, it’s better to use a grater to shred it into finer pieces.

Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches

Slice the six croissants in half and line each with lettuce leaves. Spoon on a portion of the chicken salad and top with the other half of the croissant.

Chicken Salad Croissant Variations

• Switch up the herbs: Using different herbs can entirely change the flavor of your chicken salad recipe. For example, tarragon and herbes de Provence are classic herbs used in French cuisine, while cilantro is popular in Mexican and Asian dishes.
• Dress up the sauce: Experiment with the sauce by adding a touch of curry powder, balsamic glaze, miso paste, liquid smoke, or Worcestershire sauce. You have plenty of options for achieving a greater depth of flavor.
• Add extras: Is anything lingering in your pantry that you want to use up? This may be your chance! Toasted nuts, fresh or dried fruits, bacon bits, diced celery or cherry tomatoes—the list goes on.

How to Store Chicken Salad Croissants

Because bread is absorptive, the chicken salad croissant may become soggy if left uneaten for two to three hours. To prevent this, you can prep the chicken salad ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Croissants are best eaten the day they are baked but if you’re in a pinch you can keep them in reusable beeswax wraps in the fridge for up to four days.

Can you freeze chicken salad croissants?

Although you can freeze chicken salad, its flavor and texture will likely change. This is primarily because when frozen, the emulsion of the mayo breaks, causing an uneven texture. Also, if you choose to put fruits or any other water-rich ingredient in the salad, you’ll notice that the salad becomes watery when thawed.

If you do choose to freeze this recipe, place it in a freezer bag in an even layer and squeeze out all the air. Store it in your freezer for up to two months and when ready to eat it, allow it to thaw in the fridge.

Chicken Salad Croissant Tips

How do you keep the bread from getting soggy?

Your best bet to prevent the bread on a sandwich from becoming soggy is to eat it within two to three hours. If this isn’t an option, there are a few tricks. First, place the lettuce leaves on top of the chicken salad, as they contain water, which is more likely to escape when placed under extra pressure.

How long should chicken salad sit before eating?

Because this recipe contains two especially perishable ingredients, chicken and mayonnaise, it’s best to leave it at room temperature for less than two hours. If you need to keep it longer, transfer the salad to an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to four days.

How can I make bland chicken salad taste better?

If you find your chicken salad to taste bland, you can use any of the recipe variations mentioned above, or make sure you don’t just use chicken breast. Dark cuts of meat such as chicken thighs, as well as chicken skin, provide much more flavor.