Description
Hawaiian chicken salad brings tropical flavors to your plate with grilled island-style chicken atop crisp greens. Zesty pineapple dressing and fresh ingredients create a refreshing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) shredded chicken (rotisserie or grilled)
- 1 cup (237 ml) diced fresh pineapple (or canned, drained)
- ½ cup (118 ml) diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup (118 ml) diced celery
- ½ cup (118 ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- ¼ cup (59 ml) finely chopped red onion
- ¼ cup (59 ml) chopped macadamia nuts or almonds
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) shredded coconut (optional, for extra tropical flavor)
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) garlic powder
Instructions
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, honey, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper into a smooth, vibrant emulsion that captures the essence of Hawaiian zest.
- Chicken Preparation: Transform chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes, ensuring each piece promises consistent flavor and texture.
- Vegetable Medley: Slice green onions and red bell peppers into delicate ribbons that will introduce color and crisp complexity to the salad composition.
- Nutty Enhancement: Carefully toast macadamia nuts in a dry skillet, stirring continuously until they release a golden-brown color and rich, aromatic profile.
- Flavor Fusion: Merge diced chicken, green onions, and bell peppers in a generous mixing bowl, creating a vibrant Hawaiian-inspired foundation.
- Dressing Integration: Thoroughly coat the chicken mixture with the prepared dressing, ensuring each morsel absorbs the tangy, sweet flavor profile.
- Textural Finish: Generously scatter toasted macadamia nuts across the salad, introducing a distinctive tropical crunch and authentic Hawaiian character.
- Flavor Development: Chill the salad for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and intensify their collective taste experience.
- Presentation: Gently redistribute the salad before serving, garnishing with additional green onions for a final burst of freshness.
Notes
- Prevent Dressing Separation: Whisk mayonnaise and lime juice slowly to ensure smooth, stable emulsion without breaking or becoming runny.
- Chicken Cooking Precision: Pat chicken dry before dicing to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent excess moisture in the salad.
- Nut Toasting Technique: Watch macadamia nuts carefully during toasting, stirring constantly to avoid burning and maintain their delicate flavor profile.
- Flavor Marination Strategy: Letting the salad rest in refrigerator allows ingredients to develop deeper, more complex taste connections, enhancing overall dish complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg