Why put lemon juice in chicken salad?

Lemon juice is a common ingredient in chicken salad for several reasons:

Flavor:

* Brightness and Acidity: Lemon juice adds a bright, tangy, and acidic note to the salad, which cuts through the richness of the chicken and mayonnaise. This creates a more balanced and refreshing flavor profile.

* Complementary Flavor: The citrus notes in lemon juice pair well with the savory flavors of chicken, celery, and onion.

* Enhancement of Other Flavors: Lemon juice can help to bring out the natural flavors of the other ingredients in the salad.

Function:

* Tenderizer: The acid in lemon juice can help to tenderize the chicken, making it more palatable.

* Emulsifier: Lemon juice can help to stabilize the emulsion of mayonnaise, preventing it from separating.

* Preservation: The acidic nature of lemon juice helps to preserve the salad, preventing it from spoiling as quickly.

Health Benefits:

* Vitamin C: Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that is beneficial for immune health.

Overall:

Adding lemon juice to chicken salad enhances the flavor, texture, and shelf life of the dish. It also contributes some nutritional value.