Description
This Pineapple Chicken Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish combining juicy pineapple, tender shredded chicken, crunchy celery, and a creamy honey-lemon mayo dressing. It’s perfect as a quick lunch, easy dinner, or a healthy snack option. Ideal for warm days and meal prep lovers, this is one of those dinner ideas you’ll keep coming back to. Whether you’re searching for easy recipes, light food ideas, or refreshing lunch options, this one checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Shred or chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Dice the fresh pineapple, slice the celery and red onion.
3. Toast the almonds or pecans until golden and aromatic.
4. Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and honey in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper.
5. In a large bowl, combine chicken, pineapple, celery, onion, and nuts.
6. Pour the dressing over and gently fold everything together until well coated.
7. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use only fresh pineapple for the best texture and flavor—canned pineapple will make the salad soggy.
Toasting the nuts adds essential depth and crunch—don’t skip this step.
Adjust the creaminess by thinning the dressing with more lemon juice or a splash of milk if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: pineapple chicken salad, easy recipe, lunch idea, healthy salad, summer salad, quick dinner, meal prep salad