Fruit and chicken salad is a delightful dish that’s easy to make and doesn’t require heating up the kitchen. It’s perfect for a get-together luncheon with friends or a light family meal. You’ll love the wonderful blend of sweet and savory flavors with a subtly sweet twist in every bite.
Delicate but Bold Chicken Salad with Lots of Fruit
This chicken salad packs a powerful punch, yet it delivers delicate tastiness that will satisfy your hunger without feeling heavy. It’s a little bit different from this tropical chicken salad because you’ll be adding in other fruits. Mix and match the fruit to add to the rest of the ingredients.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious salad:
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1-1/2 cup fruit cut into bite-size pieces (pineapple, grapes, strawberries, kiwis, or pears)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup pecans (or any nut)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Use whatever fruit you like. You can even customize it to each person’s taste by starting with the foundation of the salad without the fruit. Then add what you know they’ll like.
How to make Chicken Salad with Fruit
Prep the ingredients: Start by gathering all your ingredients. Chop up your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Use any fruit that you like. I enjoy mixing 2 or 3 types of fruit to add color and flavor. If you’re using fresh fruit, give it a good chop too. Don’t forget to finely chop that onion and celery for that extra crunch!
Mix it all up: In a medium-sized bowl, toss in your chicken, fruit, onion, celery, lemon juice, and pecans. Give it all a good mix to ensure that every bite is bursting with flavor.
Add the creaminess: Now, here comes the magic! Add in that creamy goodness of mayonnaise. Fold it gently into your mixture until everything is evenly coated. This is where the magic happens. The creamy mayo binds all those delicious flavors together, creating an explosion of taste in your mouth.
Chill the mixture: Once everything is mixed to perfection, pop your fruit and chicken salad into the fridge to chill. This step is crucial because it allows all those flavors to meld together, making each bite even more scrumptious than the last.
Serve and enjoy: When it’s time to serve, grab your favorite dish and heap it up with that mouthwatering salad. Whether you’re enjoying it solo, as a side dish, or piled high on a sandwich, one thing’s for sure – you’re in for a treat!
Why I Love Pineapple Chicken Salad
First of all, it’s incredibly versatile. You can enjoy it on its own as a light lunch, serve it up as a side dish at your next party, or even use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. The possibilities are endless!
It’s also packed with flavor. From the sweetness of the fruit to the crunch of the pecans, every bite is a party for your taste buds. And let’s not forget about that creamy mayo – it ties everything together beautifully, creating a harmony of flavors that’ll have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
But perhaps the best thing about this fruity chicken salad is just how easy it is to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch in no time flat. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick and satisfying, or for lazy weekends when you want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad with Fruit
Cloud Bread – Why serve plain old store-bought bread when you can easily make this deliciously light and fluffy cloud bread? It’s absolutely wonderful!
Cream of Tomato Soup – Add color and flavor to your meal with some creamy tomato soup. It’s smooth and creamy, so it goes quite nicely with your favorite salad.
Southern Style Tomato Sandwich – In the spirit of keeping dinner simple, make a side of tomato sandwiches with this recipe from Julia’s Simply Southern.
Cheese Ball and Crackers – Don’t be afraid to make this cheese ball. It’s easy, and the results are so yummy!
More – Sides to serve with chicken salad
Easy and Delightful Meal
This chicken salad with fruit is easy and delicious! Add it to your lunch or dinnertime rotation with confidence. You and your family are sure to love it as much as my family does!
Fruit and Chicken Salad
When you want a light meal, you'll love this delicious fruit and chicken salad.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1-1/2 cup fruit cut into bite-size pieces (pineapple, grapes, strawberries, kiwis, pears)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup pecans (or any nut)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the mayonnaise in a medium bowl.
- Mix it all together.
- Fold in the mayonnaise.
- Chill until time to serve.
Notes
Serve on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich filling.