If you’re looking for a refreshing twist on classic chicken salad, this Pineapple Chicken Salad is the perfect recipe to try. Juicy pineapple chunks add a naturally sweet, tropical flavor that pairs beautifully with tender chicken, crisp celery, and a creamy dressing. The result is a light yet satisfying dish that works perfectly for lunches, quick dinners, or meal prep throughout the week.
One of the best things about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep time, you can create a flavorful chicken salad that tastes like it came from a café or deli. It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken while creating something fresh and exciting.
This pineapple chicken salad is also incredibly versatile. Serve it on buttery croissants, toasted sandwich bread, in wraps, or spooned over crisp lettuce for a lighter option. It also works wonderfully as a party dish served with crackers or as part of a summer picnic spread.
Whether you’re planning easy weekday lunches, prepping meals ahead of time, or looking for a crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings, this creamy pineapple chicken salad recipe delivers a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures that everyone will love.
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Pineapple Chicken Salad
Pineapple Chicken Salad is a refreshing and slightly sweet twist on classic chicken salad. Tender shredded chicken is combined with juicy pineapple chunks, crunchy celery, and a creamy dressing for the perfect balance of flavors and textures. This versatile dish is great for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or served over a bed of fresh greens for a light and satisfying meal.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
1 cup pineapple chunks, drained (fresh or canned)
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (optional for a lighter dressing)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
Dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces if not already shredded. Drain the pineapple well and chop celery and onion.
Make the dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Combine the salad
Add chicken, pineapple, celery, red onion, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing.
Mix gently
Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Chill (optional)
Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Serve
Serve on croissants, toasted bread, lettuce wraps, or over mixed greens.
Notes
Cooking Tips
Drain the pineapple well
Too much juice can thin the dressing. Pat pineapple chunks dry with a paper towel if needed.
Use rotisserie chicken for convenience
Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor.
Chop ingredients evenly
Uniform pieces help distribute flavor and texture throughout the salad.
Chill before serving
Allowing the salad to rest in the refrigerator improves the flavor.
Variations
Tropical Pineapple Chicken Salad
Add shredded coconut and diced mango for a sweeter tropical flavor.
Crunchy Pineapple Chicken Salad
Mix in chopped water chestnuts or extra celery for more crunch.
Light Pineapple Chicken Salad
Replace most of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lower-fat option.
Spicy Pineapple Chicken Salad
Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a sweet-and-spicy version.
Pineapple Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Serve the salad in butter lettuce cups for a low-carb meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
