Pregnancy food guidance
Chicken salad
Depends—Where it was prepared matters
Fresh homemade chicken salad can be eaten when the chicken is fully cooked and the salad is kept cold. Avoid store-prepared deli chicken salad under cautious guidance.
What changes the answer for Chicken salad
- Homemade with chicken cooked to 165°F: safer.
- Store-prepared deli salad: avoid.
- Refrigerate promptly and discard after unsafe time at room temperature.
Why it matters for Chicken salad
Store-prepared deli salads can carry Listeria, while cooked chicken also requires safe chilling and storage.
Practical takeaway
Make it fresh at home with fully cooked chicken and keep it refrigerated.
Sources and review details
- Review status
- Source reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Guidance region
- United States