The $6 Aldi Fridge Find the Internet Is Calling “the Best Ever” (and It’s True)

Aldi fans are gushing over a seasonal chicken salad.  The rave reviews on social media say Aldi’s Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is “amazing” and simply “the best chicken salad ever!!!”

With the climbing number of likes and exclamation points in the comments, I was intrigued and needed to try this cranberry chicken goodness myself. So away to Aldi I went.

The chicken salad comes in a 16-ounce container, and it costs $5.79. Some Aldi nerds (as the tried-and-true fans call themselves) complain about the steeper price compared to other cheaper items at the store, but more people than not say it’s worth the slightly additional cost.

To test this out, I first dug into the container with a spoon. You certainly get your money’s worth with this salad; the thick and creamy salad is really packed in there, and it’s not watery at all. In fact, when I turned the spoon upside down, some of the chunky deliciousness stuck to the spoon.

When I finally took a bite, it was every bit worth the hype. Tangy, with big, visible chunks of chicken, studded with tiny bits of celery and bright, sweet cranberries, this is a chicken salad to savor. The mayo is rich but not overpowering, which can be the downfall of some chicken salads. But not this one — it definitely has more chicken and “stuff,” such as celery, almonds and cranberries, rather than heaping dollops of mayo. But don’t fret: Aldi didn’t skimp on the mayo, either. It was a Goldilocks combination of sauce and ingredients.

The flavors of chicken and sweet cranberries with just the right crunch of almonds and celery gave it that perfect balanced taste or creamy, savory, and crunchy that we all look for in a good chicken salad. It’s the kind of salad that you take a bite of, and then swoon and immediately take another bite.

The one thing I would note to readers who have allergies or food sensitivities is that this salad is dairy-free, but it isn’t gluten-free. Some of the crunch and thickness of the salad comes from a small amount of breadcrumbs.

Now, you could just simply grab a spoon and eat this chicken salad out of the container as I did; it’s clearly good enough to enjoy on its own. Nevertheless, this salad is also easy to dress up.

If you have some mixed greens and sliced veggies, this is the perfect protein pairing for a quick lunch — especially if you just simply toss the vegetables with a light vinaigrette.

A lot of Aldi fans swear by adding it to Aldi’s croissants, but I think a stellar sandwich can also start with Aldi’s brioche buns (both mini and regular sized rolls). I think two mini brioche buns stuffed with salad and a few slices of tomato and/or lettuce would make a great lunch. The mini buns could also make for an easy appetizer for entertaining — especially if you need some clever Thanksgiving appetizer ideas.

In the appetizer arena, I think this salad also could stuff tomatoes or top cucumber slices. It also would be elegant if served on large soup spoons or in lettuce cups — especially if you topped it with a few extra almond thins or cranberries. 

Some people suggest stirring in lemon juice, diced apples, or sliced grapes, which could add some additional dimension to its tasty base of flavors. I also think that a teaspoon or two of poppyseeds could be fun if you wanted to add an upscale touch. If you love curried chicken salad, a little bit of yellow curry powder could add a pop of color and taste. 

But any way you serve it, you’ll probably end up finishing the container before you realize it, and planning your next Aldi grocery run immediately.