We all know that chicken salad is a much-loved dish for many people around the world, being a classic dish that has been a staple of picnics and lunchboxes for decades.
That being said, it isn’t exactly the most exciting of dishes! However, with a little creativity and flair, this humble dish can be transformed into a show-stopping centerpiece for a dinner party.
Whether you’re looking for a light and refreshing appetizer or a satisfying main course, there are plenty of innovative ways to serve chicken salad that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most creative and delicious ways to serve chicken salad at your next dinner party.
From classic recipes with a twist to unexpected flavor combinations, these ideas are sure to inspire your culinary creativity and take your chicken salad game to the next level. Let’s get started.
Stuffed Avocado Halves
Stuffed avocado halves are a versatile and delicious way to serve chicken salad at a party. To make them, simply cut ripe avocados in half and remove the pit.
Then, fill the avocado halves with chicken salad and top with diced tomatoes and fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. You can also add a balsamic glaze drizzle or a lime juice squeeze for extra flavor.
Stuffed avocado halves are not only tasty, but they also make for a beautiful presentation. The green avocado halves provide a striking contrast to the colorful chicken salad filling.
You can serve them as a light appetizer or as a main course, depending on the size of the avocados and the amount of chicken salad filling.
One of the benefits of using avocado halves as a serving vessel is that they are naturally portioned, making it easy to serve your guests.
Not only that, but avocados are a nutrient-dense food, rich in healthy fats and fiber, which makes this dish a nutritious choice as well.
Mini Croissants
Croissants and chicken salad might not be the first two types of food that you would put together, but they work incredibly well and make for a delicious yet unique way to serve chicken salad at a party.
Get yourself some small croissants that can be sliced in half. You can use plain croissants or ones flavored with herbs or cheese for added flavor.
To prepare the mini croissants, slice them in half lengthwise and fill each half with chicken salad. You can also add a slice of cheese or a leaf of lettuce to the croissant for added texture and flavor.
Mini croissants are perfect for serving as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal at a dinner party or a regular party, as they are easy to eat with your hands and can be served at room temperature or slightly warmed in the oven for a crispy texture.
There is a lot to love about using mini croissants alongside a chicken salad at a party, as they not only provide an elegant and sophisticated look for your guests to fawn over, but they are also a classic finger food that is sure to continue to impress your guest’s thanks to their flaky texture and buttery flavor, which works deliciously well with the creaminess of chicken salad.
Cucumber Cups
For a refreshing and healthy way to serve chicken salad at a party, these cucumber cups are a great option.
To prepare the cucumber cups, slice the cucumbers into rounds and use a melon baller or spoon to hollow out the center of each round, leaving a small border around the edge.
Fill each cup with chicken salad and sprinkle with chopped chives or other herbs for added flavor and color.
Cucumber cups are perfect for serving as an appetizer or as a light snack due to being low in calories and carbs, making them a healthy option for your guests. They are also naturally gluten-free and can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions.
Chicken Salad Stuffed Bell Peppers
The sweetness of bell peppers with the savory tastiness of chicken salad makes for a match made in heaven in this next idea!
To make them, you will need bell peppers that have been halved and seeded.
You can use any color of bell pepper, but red, yellow, and orange peppers tend to be sweeter and pair well with the savory chicken salad filling.
To prepare the stuffed peppers, preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the pepper halves in a baking dish and fill each half with chicken salad.
Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Chicken salad stuffed peppers are a great option for serving as a main course or as a hearty appetizer.
They are also a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your party menu, as the bell peppers provide a healthy and colorful vessel for the chicken salad filling.
Colorful and delicious, there is a lot to love about this method of serving up a chicken salad at a party.
Fruit Boats
Fruit boats are a fun and festive way to serve chicken salad at a party, making for a fruity twist on the chicken salad that is a little bit retro and highly delicious.
To make them, you will need a variety of fresh fruit, such as melons, pineapples, and oranges, that can be hollowed out and used as a vessel for the chicken salad filling.
Remember to only use fruits that complement chicken well, as certain fruits just don’t work well with the meat!
To prepare the fruit boats, start by selecting your favorite fruits and cutting them in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or spoon to hollow out the center of each fruit half.
Try not to forget to leave a small border around the edge. Fill each fruit boat with chicken salad and top with fresh berries or sliced almonds for added flavor and texture.
Fruit boats are perfect for serving as a light and refreshing appetizer or snack, as they provide a fun and creative way to incorporate fresh fruit into your party menu and are a great option for those who are looking for a healthier alternative to traditional party fare.
They are also a bit of a blast from the past in some ways, which is sure to be appealing to guests who enjoy a retro party theme!
Chicken Salad In Wonton Cups
To add a bit of crunchiness to your chicken salad, serving them up in wonton cups is a delicious choice!
To do so, you will need wonton wrappers that can be shaped into small cups and filled with the chicken salad filling.
To prepare the wonton cups, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a mini muffin tin and place a wonton wrapper in each cup, pressing down gently to form a cup shape.
Bake for 5–7 minutes, or until the cups are golden brown and crispy. Allow the cups to cool slightly before filling them with chicken salad.
To make the chicken salad filling, start by cooking and shredding the chicken. Mix the shredded chicken with mayonnaise, celery, onion, and seasonings of your choice.
Spoon the chicken salad mixture into each wonton cup and top with chopped scallions or sliced almonds for added flavor and texture.
Wonton cups are perfect for serving as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal. They are easy to eat with your hands and provide a crunchy and savory base for the chicken salad filling.
Wonton cups are also pretty versatile and can be filled with a variety of different fillings, making them a great option for guests with different dietary preferences.
This is also a snack that is easy to prepare and can be made in advance, making them a great choice for busy party hosts.
Layered Chicken Salad Bowls
Layered chicken salad bowls are a fun and visually appealing way to serve chicken salad at a party, and they are easy to make too.
You will need a variety of fresh ingredients that can be layered in a bowl to create a colorful and flavorful dish, and- of course- your chicken.
To prepare the layered chicken salad bowls, start by selecting your favorite salad ingredients, such as chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and sliced avocados.
You can also add in some extra protein, such as boiled eggs, to make the dish more filling and satisfying.
To assemble the bowls, start with a layer of chopped lettuce at the bottom of the bowl.
Then, add a layer of sliced cucumbers, followed by a layer of cherry tomatoes, and a layer of shredded carrots. Next, add a layer of grilled chicken or boiled eggs and top with a dollop of chicken salad.
Repeat the layering process until the bowl is full, and top with a drizzle of your favorite salad dressing and some chopped herbs or nuts for added flavor and texture.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Whilst we are on the subject of hard-boiled eggs for protein, chicken salad served in hard-boiled eggs is a fun and unique way to present this classic dish at a party.
To make them, you will need hard-boiled eggs that have been peeled and halved lengthwise.
Scoop the chicken salad filling into each half of the hard-boiled eggs, and sprinkle with paprika or chopped herbs for garnish. Arrange the eggs on a platter and serve chilled.
Chicken salad served in hard-boiled eggs is perfect for serving as a bite-sized appetizer or snack, whilst also providing a fun and creative way to incorporate protein and healthy fats into your party menu.
They are certainly a great option for those who are looking for a low-carb or gluten-free option.
Pita Pockets
Pita pockets are for more than just hummus, as seen in this next creative chicken salad serving idea.
To make this finger food, you will need pita bread that has been cut in half and opened to form a pocket.
Spoon the chicken salad filling into the pocket of each pita half, and add in some shredded lettuce or sliced tomatoes for added freshness and crunch.
Serve the pita pockets immediately, or wrap them in plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
Pita pockets are perfect for serving as a handheld appetizer or as a light and portable meal.
They provide a fun and interactive way for your guests to customize their sandwiches and can be filled with a variety of healthy ingredients.
Chicken Salad In Glasses
Bring your dinner party back to the 1970s by serving up your chicken salad in glasses in that prawn cocktail kind of way! It’s fun, retro, and sure to be a talking point amongst your guests.
To make chicken salad in glasses, you will need cooked and shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and a variety of colorful and flavorful ingredients.
Spoon the chicken salad filling into individual serving glasses, filling each glass about halfway. Top the chicken salad with other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, or avocado.
Repeat the layering process until the glass is full. You can also drizzle a sauce or dressing on top of the chicken salad, for added flavor and presentation.
Serve the chicken salad glasses immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or other toppings, or chill until ready to serve. These glasses are perfect for a more formal or indoor party, and they make a great individual portion that guests can easily enjoy.
Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Healthy and refreshing, lettuce wraps can make for a tasty party snack, especially when filled with chicken salad.
To assemble the lettuce wraps, spoon the chicken salad filling onto each lettuce leaf and wrap it up like a burrito. You can also add in some sliced avocado, shredded carrots, or chopped tomatoes for added flavor and nutrition.
Make Your Own Sandwiches
Making your own sandwiches is a fun and interactive way to serve chicken salad at a party, as well as an easy one!
To do this, you will need a variety of bread or roll options, such as sliced bread, mini croissants, or slider rolls, as well as a selection of chicken salad fillings and toppings.
Set out the bread or rolls and chicken salad filling, along with a variety of toppings such as sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced cheese, or avocado.
Allow your guests to customize their sandwiches by choosing their bread, filling, and toppings.
Making your own sandwiches is perfect for serving as a casual and interactive meal option.
It provides a fun and engaging way for your guests to create their own meals and allows them to tailor their sandwiches to their tastes and preferences.
Served Inside Bread Bowls
Creative and fun, this method of serving up chicken salad involves making bread bowls and filling them full of juicy and tender chicken salad to create a unique sandwich of sorts.
Spoon your chicken salad filling into each bread bowl, filling it to the top along with any other ingredients you so choose.
Serve the bread bowls immediately, or wrap them in plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve. You can toast the bread beforehand too to make them a little bit crunchy.
Chicken Salad Skewers
Skewers have always been a fun way to serve party food, and it’s very possible to do so with chicken salad. Don’t worry, though, it isn’t as messy as it sounds!
Thread your chicken and chosen vegetables onto skewers, alternating with other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, avocado, and bell pepper. You can also use a variety of sauces or dips to add some flavor.
These skewers are perfect for a casual or outdoor party, and they make great finger food that guests can easily pick up and enjoy.
Chicken Salad Pinwheels
Chicken salad pinwheels are a tasty and easy-to-prepare party appetizer that your guests are sure to love!
To make chicken salad pinwheels, you will need cooked and shredded chicken, tortillas, and a variety of flavorful and colorful ingredients.
Spread the chicken salad filling evenly over a tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges. Top the chicken salad with other ingredients such as shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, and diced tomatoes (for more chicken salad sides, read here).
Starting at one end, tightly roll up the tortilla into a spiral shape. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and chicken salad filling.
Once you have rolled up all the tortillas, use a sharp knife to slice each roll into pinwheel shapes, about 1 inch in width.
Secure each pinwheel with a toothpick or skewer, and voilà! They are ready for your guests to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
By using creative and unique serving ideas, you can transform the classic dish that is chicken salad into fun and memorable party fare!
From stuffed avocado halves to chicken salad skewers, there are many ways to serve chicken salad that will delight your guests.
Whether you choose to serve it in lettuce wraps, pita pockets, or layered bowls, the possibilities are endless.
By adding colorful and flavorful ingredients, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you can create a beautiful and tasty display that will impress your guests.
These ideas are also customizable to fit different dietary needs and preferences, making it easy to accommodate all your guests.
So next time you are planning a dinner party, consider serving chicken salad in a creative way.
With these ideas and a little creativity, you can take your chicken salad to the next level and make it the highlight of your party spread.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
