Hawaiian Chicken Salad Bowl (Printable)
Tender chicken, pineapple, celery and toasted macadamias tossed in a creamy lime-honey dressing—light, tropical lunch.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Fruits & Vegetables
02 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
03 - 1 cup celery, sliced thinly
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
→ Dressing
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
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
# Directions:
01 - Combine cooked chicken, pineapple, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, seedless grapes, and toasted macadamia nuts in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and homogeneous.
03 - Pour dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture, then gently toss to ensure an even coating.
04 - Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and salad to chill slightly.
05 - Arrange butter lettuce leaves on serving plates, spoon salad on top, and garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This salad keeps its crunch and vibrancy even if you prep it a little ahead, making lunch feel special without any rush.
- The tangy, sweet dressing clings to every bite, and it works brilliantly whether you’re feeding picky eaters or showing off at a summer potluck.
02 -
- Add grapes at the last minute if making ahead—they release juice and soften over time.
- Don’t skip chilling: serving it too soon means the flavors won’t come together.
03 -
- Use very sharp knives for the pineapple and veggies—your fingers (and salad texture) will thank you.
- Letting the chicken cool fully before mixing keeps everything crisp, never soggy.