Hot Chicken Salad with Potato Chips on top is perfect for an easy casserole dinner! Tender chicken, hard boiled eggs, almonds, water chestnuts in a tangy sauce, all topped with cheese & chips.
This casserole is a fantastic twist on a classic chicken salad recipe! It’s hearty, flavorful and popular served as an appetizer or light meal. For a heartier dinner, serve it over rice or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients for Hot Chicken Salad
Chicken: Use 2 cups of cooked & diced chicken as the base.
Eggs: 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped, add protein and creaminess.
Water chestnuts: Add 1 cup of water chestnuts, sliced, for some crunchy texture.
Almonds: For a toasted nutty flavor use 1 cup of slivered almonds.
Sauce: The sauce combines ½ cup of EACH mayonnaise and cream cream of mushroom soup, 2 TBSP lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp onion powder, for tang and seasoning.
Toppings: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese melts well, adding sharpness. While 1 cup crushed potato chips are key for texture and salty flavor.
How long is this Chicken Salad good for & how do you store it?
Store your hot chicken salad in a sealed container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating is best done in the oven to keep the topping crisp. Avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Avoid freezing, as the creamy texture and potato chips do not hold up well after thawing. Reheat only once to maintain the best flavor and texture.
Hot Chicken Salad with Potato Chips Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken diced & cooked
- 3 hard boiled eggs chopped
- 1 cup water chestnuts sliced
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup cream of mushroom soup
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup potato chips crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, hard boiled eggs, water chestnuts, and slivered almonds. Set aside.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, lemon juice, salt, and dried onion until you have a smooth, creamy texture. Pour into the bowl with the chicken and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with shredded cheese and crushed potato chips.
- Bake at 375°F for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and chips are golden. Serve with chips, crackers, baguette slices, or on top of cooked rice or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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What variations can I make if I don’t have cream of mushroom soup?
You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup or plain sour cream mixed with a little chicken broth. Greek yogurt combined with a bit of garlic powder and chicken broth also works well.
These alternatives keep the dish creamy while adding slightly different flavors.
Is it possible to use Ritz crackers for the casserole topping?
Yes, crushed Ritz crackers can replace potato chips as the topping. They add a buttery crunch, though the flavor will be milder and less salty.
Be sure to monitor baking time to avoid burning the cracker crust since it browns faster than chips.
Best Side Dishes to Serve with Hot Chicken Salad
Serve this hot chicken salad casserole with simple, fresh sides to balance the richness. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette works well to add brightness.
Steamed or roasted broccoli provides a mild, healthy contrast to the creamy dish. Cornbread or warm biscuits add a comforting, Southern-inspired touch.
You can also include classic sides like coleslaw or sliced tomatoes for a fresh, crunchy element. Avoid heavy starches since the casserole already includes potatoes in the chip topping.
Enjoy more of our delicious chicken salad recipes here:
- If you love a tangy twist, try this Chicken Salad with Dill Pickles! It’s loaded with tender chicken, crisp celery, hard-boiled eggs, and plenty of dill pickles for a bold, flavorful bite in every scoop.
- Old Fashioned Southern Chicken Salad is a classic made with simple ingredients like chopped chicken, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and a creamy mayo-based dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or just by the spoonful!
- Our Curry Chicken Salad is a bold and flavorful twist made with tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and a creamy curry-spiced dressing. It’s the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and just a little bit spicy!
- This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad brings all the flavors of a classic sub into a low-carb, high-flavor dish! Packed with chopped chicken, salami, pepperoni, banana peppers, and a creamy Italian dressing—it’s bold, zesty, and totally satisfying.
- Almond Chicken Salad is a crunchy, creamy favorite made with tender chicken, sliced almonds, celery, and a light mayo or Greek yogurt dressing. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups!
A comforting casserole full of textures and flavor—Hot Chicken Salad with creamy chicken, eggs, crunchy almonds, and water chestnuts, finished with melty cheese and a crispy potato chip crust!
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