Yummy! This sweet chicken salad recipe with pineapple is so delicious! Shredded chicken, grapes, almonds, pineapple, and even a bit of green onion combine with a sweet and salty dressing to create the perfect lunch salad. A delicious update on a classic sandwich topping, this is sure to be a hit, especially with kids.
Sweet Chicken Salad Recipe with Pineapple
Chicken salad has always been one of my favorite lunches. It's simple, usually flavorful, and has tons of protein, which is ideal for me, but also for my teen son who is always needing more protein in his day. This recipe is particularly nice with the extra creamy dressing and hint of sweetness from the grapes and pineapple.
If you like serving up what I like to call "sandwich salad" or a meat salad, you might also like the curried coronation chicken salad recipe or even the ham salad recipe. Both of these are delicious and excellent for easy lunches on busy days!
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken for This?
You absolutely can! In fact, this is one of those excellent uses of leftover rotisserie chicken, or to just save time and make this come together a bit faster. I prefer to use the basic rotisserie chicken and not the overly flavored or seasoned options for this, but you can use any chicken you prefer.
If you don't use rotisserie chicken, you can bake, broil, boil, or saute chicken for this recipe instead. I like using the Instant Pot to cook chicken breasts to shred for this recipe. Chicken breasts with 1 cup of water and set to manual pressure for 18 minutes turn out perfectly every time!
How Much Chicken do I Need to Make 4 Cups Shredded?
To make 4 cups of shredded cooked chicken, you will need between 1 ½ to 2 pounds of raw chicken. I recommend using a 2-pound package of chicken breasts to cook for this recipe if you are not using a rotisserie chicken.
What Do You Serve This On?
Chicken salad is one of the most versatile options for your lunch. You can serve as a sandwich, with crackers, on a bed of lettuce, or just eat this with a fork all by itself! Below are a few of our favorite options for serving the sweet chicken salad.
- Hawaiian bread, Italian bread, sourdough bread, or pumpernickel.
- Vegetable crackers, whole wheat crackers, butter cookies, or "Chick'n Biscuit" crackers.
- Tortilla chips or corn chips.
What Do You Serve with Homemade Chicken Salad?
Alongside this sandwich spread, I like to serve something light and easy. That can vary greatly depending upon your tastes and even dietary needs, but below are some good ideas that pair nicely with this recipe.
- Celery stalks, baby carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, or sugar snap peas.
- Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, pears, peaches, or additional grapes and pineapple.
- Light soups like chicken noodle soup, egg drop soup, tomato soup, French onion soup, or a broth-based soup.
- Side salads or on top of the salad itself with a light dressing.
How Do You Keep Chicken Salad From Getting Watery?
The reason why it can get watery is usually the additions like vegetables or fruit, or the dressing. In this case, the dressing is a nice thick mixture that won't be watery, however, when mixed with the rest of the ingredients it could become watery.
The best tip for this particular recipe is to make sure you are draining the pineapple really well before mixing. In fact, if you drain through a colander then pour onto paper towels to pat off excess liquid, it will make this even better and less likely to get too watery before you serve.
How Long is Chicken Salad Good For?
When making this recipe, I prefer to eat within the first 3 days. However, the FDA says it is good for up to 5 days after preparation. Things to consider are how old the chicken is, if the vegetables or fruits are near being too ripe or not, or if the dressing begins to separate.
Can You Freeze Homemade Chicken Salad for Later?
While you can technically freeze this, and it may turn out okay once thawed, it is a gamble to do so. I have frozen chicken salad and had it thaw fine, but other times it was a separated and soggy mess. If you don't think you can eat the entire batch before it would go bad, cut the recipe in half, or share it with friends and family. It's just not a recipe I would recommend you freeze for later.
Ingredients
- Chicken
- Celery
- Red grapes
- Almonds
- Green onions
- Pineapple
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Handy Kitchen Tools
How Do You Make Chicken Salad from Scratch?
Prepare chicken by cooking then shredding. Can be boiled, roasted, baked, or sauteed, but should be pulled or shredded for the salad.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, green onions, and pineapple.
Using a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring until completely combined.
Pour over chicken mixture and toss to combine making sure everything is coated well.
Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
More Tasty Recipes
Below are more of our favorite recipes to add to your lunch menu. There are many ways to add light and fresh foods to your menu that are also absolutely delicious. Print, pin, or bookmark these recipes and add them to your menu soon!
- Easy Walking Taco Casserole Recipe {30-Minute Meal)
- Fast and Fresh Greek Chickpea Salad
- The Best Ever Caprese Salad Recipe
- Vietnamese Steak and Noodle Salad
📖 Recipe
Sweet Chicken Salad Recipe with Pineapple
Whip up a batch of this sweet and savory chicken salad recipe with pineapple, grapes, and celery for a delicious light luncheon!
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (140 gm)
- 1 cup chopped celery (101 gm)
- 1 ½ cups red grapes, halved (225 gm)
- 1 cup chopped almonds (143 gm)
- 5 green onions, chopped
- 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained (562 gm)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened (120 gm)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (250 ml)
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (10 gm)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (2.5 gm)
- ½ teaspoon salt (2.5 gm)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (1.25 gm)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by cooking then shredding. Can be boiled, roasted, baked, or sauteed, but should be pulled or shredded for the salad.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, green onions, and pineapple.
- Using a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring until completely combined.
- Pour over chicken mixture and toss to combine making sure everything is coated well.
- Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Best if chilled at least 2 hours prior to serving.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Metal Meat Claws, 1Easylife 18/8 Stainless Steel Meat Forks with Wooden Handle, Best Meat Claws for Shredding, Pulling, Handing, Lifting & Serving Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Brisket -
Sweese 113.251 Porcelain Salad Pasta Bowls - 45 Ounce - Set of 4, Woodgrain -
COOK WITH COLOR Plastic Mixing Bowls with Lids - 12 Piece Nesting Bowls Set includes 6 Prep Bowls and 6 Lids, Microwave Safe Mixing Bowl Set (Blue Ombre) -
M KITCHEN WORLD Silicone Spatula Set - 4 Piece Heat Resistant Rubber Spatulas for Cooking & Baking - Nonstick Spoon Set for Kitchen Utensils - Orange -
Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen -
Wood Cutting Board Set - Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove - Kitchen Chopping Board for Meat (Butcher Block) Cheese and Vegetables | Heavy Duty Serving Tray w/Handles (3-Pieces)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 597Total Fat: 47gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 568mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 3gSugar: 17gProtein: 22g
Join the Discussion