Curried Chicken Pineapple Salad

This 5-ingredient chicken pineapple salad is an easy way of turning leftover chicken into something delicious. This simple deli filler consists of chicken and pineapple pieces coated in a creamy, lightly curried, low fat sauce. Ready in under 10 minutes!

This leftover chicken pineapple salad recipe was inspired by coronation chicken, which essentially consists of cooked chicken pieces coated in a creamy curry spiced sauce.  Coronation chicken can sometimes include raisins or other dried fruit and in this recipe I paired the chicken meat with pineapple instead. 

Why this recipe works

• Chicken meat and pineapple make a delicious flavour combination.
• You can use either white or dark meat or a bit of both.
• This recipe uses a handful of ingredients and comes together in under 10 minutes.
• It's creamy but low in fat as the sauce is a combination of low fat yogurt and mayonnaise.
• You can use either fresh or canned pineapple.

Chicken pineapple salad ingredients and substitutions

This 5-ingredient curried chicken salad consists of leftover chicken, pineapple, curry powder, yogurt and mayonnaise.

To make the creamy curried sauce I used a combination of low fat yogurt and a little bit of mayonnaise so this recipe is not too calorific.  You can use low fat thick natural or Greek yogurt, Skyr or fromage frais (fromage blanc). You can also use reduced fat, rather than regular, mayo. 

Top tip

The mayonnaise adds depth of flavour and savouriness so it's important to use it in addition to the yogurt.

Is is better to use fresh or canned pineapple

This is entirely up to you. I tend to use fresh pineapple but canned is absolutely fine too.  If using fresh ensure it's ripe and sweet.  With canned pineapple it is important to drain it well and even press gently to remove excess juice so the sauce doesn't become watery. 

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.In a mixing bowl combine all the ingredients.

2. Stir thoroughly and season to taste.

3. Chill for 30 minutes if possible and enjoy! 

Serving suggestions

Serve this creamy chicken pineapple salad in a wrap with or without salad leaves, on toast, in a sandwich, with pita or garlic bread or simply on its own.

Optional extras

This curried chicken salad is delicious as it is but you could serve it slightly differently every time.  Spice it up with chilli peppers or a drizzle of sriracha sauce, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or chives or add another ingredient, such as avocado or finely chopped baby spinach.

Top tips

• Use either white or dark meat or a bit of both.
• Use your favourite curry powder and adjust the amount to your taste.
• Use either fresh or canned pineapple (drain it well).
• Chill for 30 minutes before serving if possible.
• Best served on the day. 
• Not suitable for freezing.

Can I make this curried chicken salad ahead

Yes, but you should use it the day it was made.  This is because after a while the pineapple may start releasing moisture, which can affect the consistency of the sauce so this salad should not be kept in the fridge longer than a day.

You might also like

• Grilled Chicken Pineapple Salsa Tacos
• Chicken Quinoa Salad with Sriracha Dressing
• Easy Healthy Curried Chicken and Rice
• Butternut Squash Coconut Chicken Curry with Lentils

Check out also this collection of healthy easy chicken recipes.

Keep in touch!

Have you made this curried chicken and pineapple salad? How did it turn out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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