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This Pineapple Chicken Salad is sweet and tangy, packed with juicy pineapple, tender shredded chicken, and macadamia nuts for crunch. A Greek yogurt dressing adds a creamy touch with the fresh zing of lime juice. Perfect in sandwiches and wraps!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad With Pineapple
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free
- Skill Level: Easy
I’m not one for basic chicken salad. I am always adding different flavors, colors, and textures to bring chicken salad to the next level. And this particular recipe is one of my favorites!
The combination of sweet, juicy pineapple, lime juice, yogurt, nuts, and chicken elevates this salad recipe way beyond an ordinary chicken salad! Every bite delivers a combination of flavors that will save regular lunchtime from ever being boring! Here’s why you’ll love this salad:
- Lightened up. Unlike traditional chicken salad recipes, my chicken salad with pineapple includes Greek yogurt in the dressing for an extra hit of protein. And, I love the slightly tangy flavor Greek yogurt brings to this salad.
- Many ways to serve it. Make a chicken salad sandwich with pineapple chicken salad, or pile a big scoop of salad on top of fresh greens – or make a lettuce wrap!
- Gluten Free. Yes, this salad is completely gluten free! Make sure to use gluten free bread if you make a chicken salad sandwiches to keep your meal gluten free.
Recipe Ingredients
Check out what you’ll need to make this hearty salad below. I’ve included the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Greek Yogurt: Whole-fat, low-fat, or non-fat Greek yogurt will work equally well, just make sure to use plain yogurt.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a hint of sweet citrus flavor.
- Scallions: I love the crisp crunch and slight garlicky taste scallions add to the salad.
- Chicken: You can make poached chicken breasts, save a bit of chicken the next time you make roast chicken, or grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
- Pineapple: I prefer to use canned pineapple in its juice.
- Bell Pepper: A little chopped red bell pepper adds color and crunch. You could also use a yellow or orange pepper.
- Macadamia Nuts: Substitute another nut of choice, such as walnuts, if needed.
- Salt and Pepper
Chicken Salad Variations
- Swap in turkey. You can translate any chicken salad recipe into a turkey salad recipe, and this pineapple chicken salad is a go-to around the holidays when I have leftovers. It’s a great way to use up Herb Roast Turkey.
- Use other nuts. Not a fan of macadamia nuts? No problem, you can easily fold in another kind of nut. I love chopped walnuts, almonds, or unsalted, shelled pistachios in this chicken salad with pineapple.
- Try other citrus. Lime is lovely in the dressing, adding another little touch of sweetness. Other types of citrus work well, too! If you want a less sweet flavor, fresh lemon juice is a nice alternative, or you could try orange juice.
- Add more vegetables. For more texture and flavor, add more scallions and red bell peppers, or other vegetables such as shredded carrots, baby spinach leaves, or halved grape or cherry tomatoes.
How To Store Pineapple Chicken Salad
Place leftover chicken salad in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve the salad straight from the fridge. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers because the dairy in the dressing may separate when it’s defrosted and the raw vegetables in the salad may get mushy.
Make It A Meal
You’ll love how versatile this pineapple chicken salad is! I’ll show you some of your serving options below:
- Wrap. Wrap up your pineapple chicken salad in a homemade Gluten Free Wrap! I like to add a little Hummus before adding in the chicken.
- Sandwich. Make a chicken salad sandwich with slices of Gluten Free Sandwich Bread or a Gluten Free Pita and a few slices of avocado.
- Salad. Place a big spoonful of chicken salad on top of tender baby spinach or crisp salad greens. You could also add pineapple chicken salad to my Winter Fruit Feta Salad to make it heartier.
- With sides. A crisp batch of Air Fryer French Fries or Air Fryer Truffle Fries would make a nice side to chicken salad. Other easy accompaniments could include Gluten Free Garlic Breadsticks, Air Fryer Zucchini with Parmesan, or a Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad.
More Easy Salad Recipes To Try
Tropical Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion
- 2 ½ cups chopped and/or shredded cooked chicken (poach a couple of breasts, use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or leftovers from a roast chicken)
- 1 cup canned pineapple tidbits, drained (or pineapple slices cut into small pieces)
- ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, lime juice, and scallion until smooth.
- Add the chicken, pineapple, red pepper, and macadamia nuts and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve on sandwiches, salads, or wraps.
Did you make this?
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This sounds like a delicious take on chicken salad! I also absolutely love that trick for putting greek yogurt into spicy dishes to make them more palatable for kids. Genius! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday this week!
Thanks for stopping by!
Brianne, that looks like it belongs on the table in my gazebo for a lovely spring luncheon!
Well that sounds like a lovely setting for enjoying this recipe!