Chicken Salad Mold
A colorful, savory chicken salad molded with lemon-flavored gelatin and fresh ingredients, perfect for entertaining or a light, flavorful meal for family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup cold water ⓘ
- 1 package lemon flavored gelatin (3 oz.) ⓘ
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- dash red pepper ⓘ
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups finely diced cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 (2 oz.) jar chopped pimento, drained ⓘ
- 3 hard-cooked eggs, finely chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- Soften the unflavored gelatin in cold water.
- Dissolve the lemon-flavored gelatin in boiling water.
- Stir in the softened gelatin mixture, salt, and pepper.
- Chill until the mixture reaches the consistency of unbeaten egg white.
- Add mayonnaise and stir until blended.
- Fold in the diced cooked chicken, chopped celery, chopped pimento, and chopped hard-cooked eggs.
- Pour the mixture into a lightly oiled 5-cup mold.
- Chill until the salad is firm before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the mixture. If you prefer a lighter version, swap out mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. Make sure to use finely diced ingredients for a smooth texture. If you're short on time, leftover chicken from your favorite Chicken recipes works perfectly here.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Salad Mold makes a delightful centerpiece for a summer picnic or potluck. Serve it with a side of mixed greens or crusty bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Lemon-Herb Turkey Cutlets for a refreshing and satisfying menu.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This salad is best enjoyed cold, so there's no need to reheat. If it firms up too much in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad Mold contains roughly 582 calories, with 5g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1667mg per serving (72% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, this Chicken Salad Mold can be made a day in advance. Just ensure it is well covered in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and makes for an easy dish to serve at gatherings.
What can I substitute for chicken?
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can substitute the chicken with chickpeas or cooked quinoa. For a different protein, diced turkey or even canned tuna can work well in this mold.
How do I know when the gelatin mixture is ready to fold in the other ingredients?
The gelatin mixture should be chilled until it thickens to the consistency of unbeaten egg whites. This is the perfect stage for folding in the other ingredients without them sinking to the bottom.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).