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Colorful Hawaiian Chicken Salad ingredients arranged on a kitchen countertop, ready for mixing.
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Hawaiian Chicken Salad Recipe

If you’re looking for a refreshing, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish, this Hawaiian Chicken Salad is your perfect match. Packed with tropical flavors and a satisfying crunch, it’s ideal for a light lunch, picnic, or potluck. Let’s dive into this crowd-pleaser that will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise!
Course Salad
Cuisine Hawaiian
Keyword Hawaiian Chicken Salad, Hawaiian Chicken Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or diced
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks or canned, drained
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup celery chopped
  • ⅓ cup slivered almonds or chopped macadamia nuts
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions

  • Prepare the Chicken: If not already cooked, boil, grill, or bake chicken breast until fully cooked. Let it cool, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
  • Chop Ingredients: Dice the pineapple, bell pepper, red onion, and celery into small, even pieces for consistency.
  • Toast Nuts: Lightly toast the almonds or macadamia nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and aromatic. Let cool.
  • Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, onion, celery, and nuts.
  • Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
  • Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

Notes

  1. Use Fresh Pineapple: If possible, fresh pineapple adds a vibrant flavor and texture compared to canned.
  2. Customize the Dressing: Adjust sweetness and tanginess to your preference by tweaking the honey and mustard amounts.
  3. Add Crunch: For extra crunch, toss in additional nuts or even crushed tortilla chips before serving.
  4. Meal Prep Friendly: This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.