This Hawaiian Chicken Salad is a refreshing twist on a classic favorite, bringing tropical ingredients like pineapple and coconut into a vibrant, healthy dish. The grilled chicken adds a savory depth, while the avocado provides a creamy contrast. It’s a salad that combines bright, fresh flavors with satisfying textures, making it a perfect meal for warm days or light dinners.
For a fun, nutritious option that’s also gluten-free, this salad is perfect for meal prepping or serving at a summer gathering. With its sweet and savory combo, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser! You can also make it your own by adding more tropical fruits or swapping in your favorite veggies. This salad is not just tasty; it’s also packed with essential nutrients, making it a great choice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Full Recipe:
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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4 cups mixed greens
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1 cup pineapple, chopped
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1 avocado, diced
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1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
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1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
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1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes
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2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos
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2 tablespoons honey
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
Directions:
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Preheat grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat.
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Season the chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through and juices run clear. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil to make the dressing.
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In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, pineapple, avocado, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
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Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
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Top the salad with the sliced grilled chicken, toasted coconut flakes, and additional cilantro if desired.
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Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh, tropical salad!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Health Benefits of Hawaiian Chicken Salad
The Hawaiian Chicken Salad isn’t just delicious – it’s packed with nutrients that contribute to a balanced and healthy diet. With a variety of wholesome ingredients, this salad is an excellent source of lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber. The grilled chicken serves as a lean protein, helping to build and repair muscles, while the avocado provides a rich source of monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.
Pineapple, a tropical favorite, not only adds a burst of sweetness but is also a powerhouse of vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants. It supports the immune system, promotes healthy digestion, and can even help with inflammation. The combination of these ingredients makes this salad not only a flavorful experience but a healthy one, too.
Perfect for Different Diets and Lifestyles
Whether you’re following a gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, or low-carb lifestyle, this Hawaiian Chicken Salad fits seamlessly into various eating plans. The salad can be customized to suit your specific dietary needs, making it a versatile option for almost anyone.
For those who are gluten-sensitive, the salad is completely gluten-free, as long as you make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos for the dressing. It’s also naturally dairy-free and can easily be made keto-friendly by reducing or omitting any sweeteners. If you’re following a Whole30 diet, this salad is perfect – it contains no grains, dairy, or processed sugars.
Why Grilled Chicken?
Grilled chicken is a staple in many healthy recipes because it is a lean source of protein that is low in fat. When you grill chicken, you lock in a smoky, savory flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the pineapple and the richness of the avocado in this salad. Grilling also reduces the amount of fat compared to frying, making it a healthier cooking method that doesn’t compromise taste.
Grilled chicken also cooks quickly, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or meal prep. The ability to customize the chicken’s seasoning means you can adapt it to your preferences, whether you like it with a simple rub of salt and pepper or prefer a more complex marinade with garlic, herbs, or citrus.
How to Customize the Salad
One of the best features of this Hawaiian Chicken Salad is its versatility. While the recipe provides a basic framework, you can easily modify it to suit your tastes or the ingredients you have on hand. Here are a few ideas for making the salad your own:
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Add more fruits: If you’re a fan of tropical flavors, you can add additional fruits like mango, papaya, or even kiwi for extra sweetness and nutritional value.
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Include more greens: If you prefer a salad with a bit more crunch, consider adding mixed greens like spinach, arugula, or even some baby kale. These leafy greens are packed with vitamins and minerals, offering a nutrient boost.
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Add some nuts or seeds: For an extra texture and added crunch, toss in some chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts. Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds are also great options for added protein and healthy fats.
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Switch the dressing: While the combination of honey, sesame oil, and coconut aminos makes for a tangy, sweet dressing, you can also switch it up by adding lime juice, orange juice, or a dash of chili flakes for an extra kick.
Why Pineapple and Avocado?
The addition of pineapple and avocado in this salad isn’t just for flavor – they complement each other in terms of texture and nutritional content. Pineapple brings a refreshing sweetness to balance out the savory notes of the grilled chicken, while the avocado provides a smooth, creamy texture that helps to bring all the ingredients together.
Pineapple is a great source of bromelain, an enzyme that helps with digestion and reduces inflammation. Avocado, on the other hand, is rich in fiber and heart-healthy fats, which can help improve cholesterol levels and support overall health. Together, these two ingredients make this salad not only satisfying but also nourishing.
The Perfect Salad for Any Occasion
Hawaiian Chicken Salad is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed on a variety of occasions. Whether you’re looking for a healthy lunch, a light dinner, or a dish to serve at a gathering, this salad works perfectly for any event. The tropical flavors are a welcome addition to summer barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. It’s also an excellent choice for meal prep, as it keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days.
A Fresh and Flavorful Dressing
One of the key components of this Hawaiian Chicken Salad is the homemade dressing. This tangy dressing is made with a simple combination of gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and tangy that complements the ingredients without overpowering them.
If you’re looking for a different flavor profile, you can tweak the dressing by adding other ingredients such as lime juice, fresh herbs like cilantro or mint, or a dash of chili flakes for some heat. The beauty of this dressing lies in its simplicity, allowing the freshness of the salad ingredients to shine through.
Why You Should Try Hawaiian Chicken Salad
This Hawaiian Chicken Salad is an excellent way to incorporate more tropical flavors into your meals. With its bright colors and delicious combination of ingredients, it’s not just a meal, but an experience. The salad offers a satisfying balance of flavors, textures, and nutrients that will leave you feeling nourished and full.
In addition to being a healthy option, this salad is also incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy individuals who want to eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or need a quick dish to bring to a gathering, this salad is an excellent choice.
Conclusion
The Hawaiian Chicken Salad is a tropical-inspired, healthy, and flavorful dish that offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory ingredients. It’s a versatile recipe that can be easily customized to suit your tastes and dietary needs, making it an ideal choice for almost anyone. With its combination of grilled chicken, creamy avocado, sweet pineapple, and tangy dressing, this salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that promote overall health. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a dish to impress at your next event, the Hawaiian Chicken Salad is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.