Chicken salad sandwiches are a delicious and protein-packed lunch option. However, the downside is that they can often get soggy by the time you’re ready to eat them. A soggy sandwich is unappealing and can ruin an otherwise tasty meal.
Thankfully, there are some simple tricks you can use to keep your chicken salad sandwiches nice and crisp.
Use the Right Bread
The first step to preventing a soggy sandwich is choosing the right bread. The best breads for chicken salads are:
- Sourdough
- Rye
- Baguette
- Ciabatta
These breads are naturally denser and chewier than white bread. The extra structure helps them stand up to moist fillings without getting soggy. Stay away from delicate breads like white, wheat, and brioche. While tasty, they’ll turn mushy in a chicken salad sandwich.
Toast the Bread
Toasting your bread adds an extra layer of protection against moisture. To toast, place bread slices directly on the racks of a toaster oven or under the broiler in your regular oven. Toast until lightly browned and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. The heat from toasting causes the starches in the bread to crystallize slightly. This crystallization prevents the bread from absorbing moisture from the filling.
Limit Wet Ingredients in the Filling
Besides the bread, the other culprit behind soggy chicken sandwiches is wet fillings. Chicken salad is often bound with mayonnaise, which can make the mixture too moist. When assembling your chicken salad, use mayo sparingly, adding just enough to lightly coat the ingredients. Replace excess mayo with crisper ingredients like celery, apples, grapes, or nuts.
Additionally, be sure to drain any canned ingredients like beans, corn, or water chestnuts thoroughly before adding them to your chicken salad.
Chill Thoroughly Before Assembly
Letting your chicken salad chill for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 1-2 hours, allows time for excess moisture to drain off. The colder temperature also helps the filling set up so it doesn’t immediately soak into the bread.
Use a Slotted Spoon
When spreading your chicken salad onto the bread, use a slotted spoon rather than a regular spoon or spatula. The slots allow some of the excess liquid to drain off as you transfer the salad from bowl to sandwich.
Avoid Overstuffing
It’s tempting to pile that chicken salad high, but overstuffing your sandwiches increases the risk of sogginess. Use a ratio of about 3 parts chicken salad to 2 parts bread. Spread your chicken salad in an even layer, leaving at least 1⁄4 inch of bread visible around the edges.
Add a Moisture Barrier
For extra protection, add an ingredient that acts as a barrier between the moist chicken salad and the bread. Good options include:
- Lettuce or spinach
- Sliced tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
- Sliced avocado
Layer these ingredients on both the top and bottom piece of bread. The extra moisture-wicking power helps prevent sogginess.
Use Wax Paper Between Layers
If you won’t be eating your sandwiches right away, insert a piece of wax paper between each one before wrapping them up. The wax paper prevents any moisture from soaking into the bread while the sandwiches are stored.
Wrap Snugly
Your storage method can also prevent sogginess. Tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap, parchment paper, or foil. The snug wrap prevents air from entering and softening the bread as they sit.
Store Cold
Keeping finished sandwiches chilled is important. Store wrapped sandwiches in the refrigerator until ready to eat. The cold environment helps firm up the fillings and prevents the bread from absorbing excess moisture.
Transport Vertically
If taking your chicken salad sandwiches to work or on a picnic, transport them vertically instead of stacked. Sit them upright in your bag or cooler so the filling doesn’t press down on the bread. Use extra napkins or paper towels to wedge between sandwiches to keep them propped up.
Don’t Cut in Advance
Resist the urge to cut your sandwiches ahead of time. Slicing exposes the bread’s interior to air which can cause it to dry out. Only cut your chicken salad sandwiches immediately before serving.
Enjoy Immediately
For maximum freshness and crunch, eat your chicken salad sandwiches as soon as possible after assembling them. The sooner you can enjoy them, the less opportunity there is for them to get soggy.
Troubleshoot Excess Moisture
Sometimes no matter what precautions you take, your chicken salad sandwiches still end up soggy. If that happens, try blotting the excess moisture with paper towels or napkins before serving. You can also quickly toast the sandwiches in a pan with butter or mayo to revive the crispness of the bread.
Conclusion
With the right ingredients and a little advance planning, you can enjoy fresh, crisp chicken salad sandwiches perfect for packed lunches or weekend picnics. Keeping the bread dry is the key to avoiding sogginess. Toast or select breads with sturdy textures. Drain canned ingredients thoroughly, limit mayo, and chill the filling before assembling. Add moisture barriers like lettuce or wax paper and tightly wrap sandwiches for storage. Follow these tips and your chicken salad sandwiches will maintain their delightful crunch from kitchen counter to picnic blanket.