Fifteen-minute Pineapple Chicken Salad, served on croissants or in a lettuce wrap, is a delicious and fun twist on typical chicken salad!

Serve Pineapple Chicken Salad alongside this Panzanella Salad or this Fruit Salad for a simple and delicious meal that won’t heat up the kitchen.

Pineapple chicken salad on a croissant, overflowing with flavorful ingredients, creating the perfect combination of savory and sweet.

It’s no secret: I’m obsessed with chicken salad! Variations of the original have made appearances many times throughout the years (hiiii Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, Low-Calorie Chicken Salad Sandwiches, and Pesto Chicken Salad). Today, I’m adding another favorite to the collection: Pineapple Chicken Salad!

I’m a huge fan of fruit in a chicken salad (grapes or dried cranberries are two of my faves), so pineapple is the perfect addition for this slightly tropical chicken salad.

A bowl filled with chicken, pineapple, and other ingredients, ready to be mixed together for a flavorful dish.

How to make Pineapple Chicken Salad

  • Prepare the chicken: To have a true 15-minute prep time, you’ll want to use a rotisserie chicken (pre-shredded rotisserie chicken meat is even quicker!) More on this below.
  • Combine salad ingredients: Chopped chicken, almonds, red onion, crushed pineapple, and celery all go in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients — give it a quick taste test and adjust to personal preference.
  • Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  • Assemble: Spoon the chicken salad right on top of a lettuce leaf, on a slice of bread, or inside a croissant. Assemble the sandwich and enjoy!

All the ingredients for the recipe being mixed together in a large bowl, blending flavors and textures.

Preparing the chicken

There are several ways you can get a nice quantity of cooked chicken to use in Pineapple Chicken Salad.

  • I love using rotisserie chicken. I’ve already mentioned it, but rotisserie chicken is fast, flavorful, and tender! I like getting one at the store (or making one homemade) at the beginning of the week and then using it in recipes throughout the week. Check out this post for more details on that process! If you’re really in a time crunch, lots of stores even sell pre-shredded rotisserie chicken meat.
  • Alternatively, you can grill the chicken. Pound breasts to even thickness and then generously salt and pepper. Drizzle oil on both sides and grill over medium-high heat (400-450 degrees F), turning once halfway through grilling, about 4-6 minutes per side (until the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F.). Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes so the juices can re-distribute. Thinly slice and then chop the grilled chicken, and it’s ready for this Pineapple Chicken Salad.
  • You can cook the chicken in a crockpot and shred it. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper and then place in the bottom of a crockpot. Cover the breasts completely with chicken stock or broth. Cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken, drain the liquid, and chop the cooked breasts for this recipe.

Dressing ingredients being mixed together in a small bowl, combining flavors for a smooth and flavorful sauce.

Pineapple Chicken Salad variation ideas

  • Chicken Pineapple Salad with mayonnaise: This recipe calls for mayo and sour cream, which I’ve found to be the best combo. In a pinch, you can use just mayo.
  • Weight Watchers® Pineapple Chicken Salad: The Weight Watchers recipe uses light mayo in place of full fat, which you can also do for this recipe.
  • Pineapple Chicken Salad with fresh pineapple: Place 1 cup of fresh-cut pineapple chunks in a blender and put on the chop setting for about 15 to 30 seconds. Pour out your newly crushed pineapple into a fine-mesh sieve to drain off the additional liquid and it’s ready to add in. (See how to cut a pineapple here.)
  • Switch up the nuts: Instead of almonds, you can use toasted (chopped) pecans. For a fun tropical twist, use some toasted (finely chopped) macadamia nuts!
  • Pineapple Chicken Salad with mandarin oranges: Chop canned (and drained) mandarin oranges to get about 1/2 cup and then stir in gently.
  • Pineapple Chicken Salad with grapes: Halve or quarter washed green or red grapes to get about 1/2 cup. Stir in gently.

Dressing being poured over the chicken salad with pineapple, ready to be mixed for a delicious meal. More easy sandwich or wrap recipes

This recipe is inspired by the pineapple chicken salad recipe served at Jason’s Deli.

5 from 11 votes

Pineapple Chicken Salad

Fifteen-minute Pineapple Chicken Salad, served on croissants or in a lettuce wrap, is a delicious and fun twist on typical chicken salad!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 cups prepared rotisserie chicken chopped into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, canned in juice (not syrup), thoroughly drained/dried
  • 1/3 cup honey-roasted almonds (Note 1)
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery (~2 stalks)
  • 2 tablespoons red onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cup full-fat mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream (fat-free or light is great!)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper
  • Serve with Croissants or other sandwich bread/rolls (add some lettuce for a sandwich)

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine the chopped rotisserie chicken, thoroughly drained crushed pineapple, honey roasted almonds, sliced celery, and red onion. Stir to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a generous (or to taste) sprinkle of salt and pepper. I add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Pour dressing over salad.
  • Gently stir all of the ingredients together until combined. Taste and adjust for seasonings (salt, pepper, additional lemon, etc.)
  • Layer the chicken salad on a croissant or sandwich bread and add some lettuce. Enjoy immediately.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: I use Fresh Gourmetยฎ Honey Roasted Sliced Almonds (not sponsored, just a fan) which add an incredible flavor and don't get soggy. If not using these almonds, I recommend toasting the almonds before adding them in. To toast almonds, pour the almonds into an even layer in a small, dry (no need to add oil or anything) nonstick skillet over medium heat and stir them around a bit until they are fragrant, lightly browned, and toasted to your liking. Watch carefully to avoid burning the almonds. (They can go from toasted to burned very quickly!)ย 
Nutritional informationย is for the chicken salad only and does not include the croissant or bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 539mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 11 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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19 Comments

  1. Sarah Boelter says:

    Is the nutrition information for your pineapple chicken salad per serving or for the entire
    salad? I’m wondering because my husband has to watch salt intake. … The recipe sounds delicious. I am going to try it today.

    1. Chelsea says:

      Per serving! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks!!

  2. Cynthia says:

    5 stars
    I doubled the recipe to serve at my church ladies luncheon. It was a tad dry after mixing so I added some crushed pineapple and liquid to the consistency I wanted. omg! This recipe made me a rockstar! Thank you!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Delish! So glad you enjoyed! Thanks Cynthia! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Laura says:

    5 stars
    So delicious, thank you!!! Will be making again and again.

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yay! So glad it was a hit! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Nan says:

    5 stars
    OMG, this is insanely delicious!! Did not add onion because l am not a raw onion person, but such a wonderful recipe. The dressing is perfectโ€ฆl added a few shakes of cayenne for a spark. Going to be my new go to!!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so happy you loved this Pineapple Chicken Salad! Thanks Nan! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Donna says:

    5 stars
    I had been meaning to make pineapple chicken salad even before I found out my husband was diabetic. I found your recipe and decided to make it. I followed the recipe to a “T”. It was delicious. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the carb county was only 24 g! I mentally added it up, and I think that was for the whole entire salad, not just one serving. Hubby loved it! I put it on a couple slices of sprouted wheat bread, and he still had room for a few chips and a small scoop of sherbet. Win!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      So thrilled to hear this was enjoyed! Thank you so much for the comment Donna ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Johne Nichols says:

    Instead if almonds I will use granola what do you thimk

  7. ZAMRIE says:

    5 stars
    The taste is really delicious and decorating is so beautiful. My children love it so much. They ask me cooking this recipe frequently. Thank you so much for your creative and sharing

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Thanks!

  8. kathleen says:

    5 stars
    our whole family really enjoyed. quick and easy and would make again. thank you!!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yay!! So happy to hear it! Thanks so much for the comment Kathleen!

  9. marsha says:

    How long does this recipe stay fresh? can it be made and eaten over a few days?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      4-5 day! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Lawrence says:

    5 stars
    It’s truly quick, easy and healthy to make for every day dit menu. And Iโ€™m obsessed with chicken salad too :P.

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      So happy to hear it! Thanks for the comment ๐Ÿ™‚