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1861-1900 - American lunch-counter, tea-room, and deli cooks turning chicken salad into a sandwich
Chicken Salad Sandwich features poached chicken combined with mayonnaise and seasonings, served between slices of bread. A staple in diners and lunch counters from 1900 to 1929, it exemplified quick, hearty meals for working-class Americans in immigrant-rich urban centers and became a common offering at state fairs and casual eateries.
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Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
15 minutes
Total time
35 minutes
Servings
4
Region
Wakefield, Rhode Island meat-market and lunch-counter kitchens
Era introduced
1861-1900
Introduced by
American lunch-counter, tea-room, and deli cooks turning chicken salad into a sandwich
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The Chicken Salad Sandwich was a popular diner and lunch counter food during the early 20th century, especially in rapidly growing immigrant cities. It offered a satisfying, portable meal made from leftover chicken mixed with mayonnaise and seasonings, served simply between bread. Its presence at state fairs and casual eateries reflected American urbanization and the growth of working-class dining options during this era.
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