Hawaiian Chicken Salad (Print Version)
Chicken with pineapple, grapes and crunchy veggies tossed in a creamy lime-honey dressing, great chilled on lettuce.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (grilled or poached)
→ Fruits and Vegetables
02 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced or drained canned pineapple
03 - 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1/2 cup seedless grapes, halved
07 - 1/4 cup toasted macadamia nuts, chopped (optional)
→ Dressing
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (or extra mayo for dairy-free)
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11 - 2 teaspoons honey
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
15 - Butter lettuce leaves, for serving (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Place diced or shredded chicken, pineapple, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, grapes, and macadamia nuts in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until evenly coated.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Arrange the salad on butter lettuce leaves if desired and garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley before serving.
# Handy Tips:
01 -
- You get the tropical burst of pineapple, chicken, and creamy dressing all in one forkful—it feels like a vacation lunch.
- It’s both light and satisfying, and I love how it can be made ahead for busy days or entertaining.
02 -
- Adding warm chicken straight from the grill will turn your dressing oily and thin—let it cool completely first.
- Tasting the salad after it chills guarantees every ingredient is just right, and you can tweak salt or honey for balance.
03 -
- Let the salad chill for at least 15 minutes—the difference in taste is worth every second.
- A sprinkle of flaky salt on top right before serving is pure magic.