Hawaiian Chicken Salad (Printable version)

Tender chicken and pineapple tossed with celery, grapes and a creamy lime-honey dressing for a bright, tropical lunch.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (grilled or poached)

→ Fruits & Vegetables

02 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced or use canned pineapple, drained
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 additional mayonnaise 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 - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked chicken breast, pineapple, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, grapes, and toasted macadamia nuts.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully blended.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and produce mixture. Gently toss until all ingredients are well coated.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
05 - Arrange salad on butter lettuce leaves if desired and finish with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Each bite is a sweet and savory mix that people always ask about after the first forkful.
  • It comes together in just half an hour without a single moment feeling like a fuss.
02 -
  • One time I tried skipping the chilling step, and the flavors just didn’t bloom—don't rush that rest.
  • Slicing the grapes too far in advance can make the salad watery, so prep them just before everything comes together.
03 -
  • Always taste the dressing before mixing—sometimes all it needs is a dash more lime or honey to sing.
  • Let the salad sit in the fridge for closer to an hour if you have time; the flavors really settle in and meld together beautifully.

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