Hawaiian Chicken Salad (Printable)

Tender chicken, pineapple, grapes and crunchy celery in a creamy lime-honey dressing—served on butter lettuce.

# 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, thinly sliced
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, to taste
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
16 - Butter lettuce leaves, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Place chicken, pineapple, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, grapes, and macadamia nuts into a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss until all components are evenly coated.
04 - Refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Arrange butter lettuce leaves on serving plates, spoon salad on top, and garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sweet and savory mix of pineapple, grapes, and tender chicken is a low-effort way to brighten any lunch break.
  • The creamy dressing pairs perfectly with toasted nuts and crunchy veggies making every bite a small adventure—this is why it instantly became my go-to for gatherings.
02 -
  • If you skip patting the pineapple dry the dressing can get watery—have paper towels handy!
  • The first time I toasted nuts, I walked away and nearly burnt them—stay nearby and give them a shake for even browning.
03 -
  • Let the salad sit at least 15 minutes before serving so every bite sings with flavor.
  • Use two utensils for tossing—this keeps delicate grapes and pineapple chunks whole while mixing.

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