Salad with canned pineapple and chicken

It is unknown who came up with the salad with pineapple canned in sugar syrup and boiled chicken meat. Such salads belong to the category of “modern cuisine”, and most likely the recipe originated as an experiment combining the sweet taste of pineapple and the tenderness of chicken.

This combination of exotic fruit and white meat became widely known in Western cuisine in the second half of the 20th century, when combinations of sweet and salty began to be actively used in salads and snacks. This recipe was probably created as a simple and quick option for daily feasts and holidays.

Ingredients for the dish

The most delicate, light salad with canned pineapple and chicken is a very popular dish today, as it contains fairly simple and affordable components:

• Boiled white chicken meat (breast, 300 g);
• Canned pineapple slices (200 g);
• Hard cheese (150 g);
• Mayonnaise dressing (according to consistency and flavors);
• Herbs for decoration, finely ground black pepper and salt (to taste).

Despite the presence of mayonnaise in the dish, chicken salad with canned pineapples does not cause a feeling of a “heavy” product. Pineapple gives freshness to the salad, and the dry meat gets juiciness and flavor accent.

The cooking method is never easier

All kinds of exotic fruits (including pineapple) have not been delicacies or hard-to-find products for a long time. And a salad with canned pineapple and breast is popular not only because of its taste qualities, but also because it is very easy to prepare it from ingredients that are on the shelves of any store:

• Cut the boiled chicken into cubes.
• Pineapple, if it is in rings, and cheese are also cut into cubes.
• Mix the chicken, pineapple and cheese in a bowl.
• Add mayonnaise, salt and pepper, and mix.
• You can serve it immediately or cool it before serving.

Those who like sharper combinations in salads can add onions (green, for example), but this is a matter of taste.

Life hack for the recipe

A basic and simple salad with canned pineapples and chicken breast can be varied with other ingredients that will add nutritional value or flavor diversity to the dish. Here are some popular options:

• Add canned corn for a bright color and light sweetness.
• Walnuts or cashews add a crunchy texture and a savory taste.
• Fried champignons or canned mushrooms will add depth and variety to the taste of the dish.
• Boiled eggs, diced, will make the salad more satisfying.
• Cucumbers, bell peppers or lettuce leaves add freshness and lightness.
• Crunchy crackers add texture, and they can be added right before serving so they don’t get soaked.
• A light version with a dressing of natural yogurt mixed with mustard and herbs.
• Diced avocado will add a creamy texture and healthy fats.
• Processed cheese or feta together with garlic make the salad more intense and savory.

These variations allow you to create a salad according to taste preferences and mood, complementing the dish with lightness or vice versa with satiety, piquancy. And to further reduce the cooking time, you can add pineapple slices in syrup to the salad, after draining the syrup.