Pineapple Chicken Salad Recipe Indian Style | Sweet And Spicy With Pineapple Dressing

This Pineapple Chicken Salad is a fusion of sweet and spicy flavors, making it a must-try dish for salad lovers. It brings together roasted chicken, fresh veggies, and an unforgettable pineapple dressing. The highlight of this salad is the pineapple-infused dressing that adds a perfect tangy-sweet touch to the dish. This is a healthier take on the typical chicken salad, with plenty of veggies and juicy pineapple to balance the rich flavors.

The unique blend of Indian spices and pineapple flavors makes this salad truly special. It’s not just another chicken salad—it’s a dish with layers of flavor, from the roasted chicken to the tangy dressing. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a flavorful side dish, this salad has it all. Now, let’s get started!

Ingredients:

For the Pineapple Chicken:

• Chicken: 250 grams, boneless
• Salt: 3/4 tsp
• Kashmiri chili powder: 1 tsp
• Oil: 1 tbsp
• Onion: 1/2, chopped
• Pineapple: 1/2 cup, chopped
• Celery: 2 tbsp, chopped
• Spring onion: 2 tbsp, chopped
• Pineapple juice: 1/4 cup (freshly made by blending and straining pineapple)

For the Dressing:

• Paneer: 2 small cubes
• Garlic: 1 clove, chopped
• Green chili: 1, chopped
• Pepper: A pinch
• Salt: A pinch
• Pineapple: 1/8 cup, chopped
• Lemon juice: From 1/2 lemon

For the Salad:

• Iceberg lettuce: 1 cup, chopped
• Cabbage: 1/2 cup, grated
• Carrot: 1, chopped or grated
• Zucchini: 1/4, chopped
• Cucumber: 1/2, chopped
• Dressing: 2-3 tbsp

Instructions:

1. Marinate and Cook the Chicken:
   • In a pan (before switching on the heat), add 250 grams of chicken, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder, and 1 tbsp oil.
   • Mix everything well to coat the chicken evenly with spices.
   • Turn on the heat and cook the chicken, ensuring all sides are slightly roasted.
   • Once the chicken is browned, add the chopped onion and cook until the onions become soft and translucent.
2. Add Pineapple and Cook:
   • Add 1/2 cup of chopped pineapple to the pan and cook until the pineapple becomes soft.
   • This process allows the chicken to absorb the sweetness of the pineapple, making it juicy and flavorful.
3. Finish with Celery, Spring Onion, and Pineapple Juice:
   • Stir in the chopped celery and spring onion, and cook for another minute.
   • Pour in 1/4 cup of freshly made pineapple juice and cook until the juice is fully absorbed into the chicken, leaving it tender and juicy.
4. Prepare the Dressing:
   • In a blender, add 2 cubes of paneer, 1 chopped garlic clove, 1 chopped green chili, a pinch of pepper, a pinch of salt, 1/8 cup of chopped pineapple, and the juice of half a lemon.
   • Add a little water to blend it into a thick dressing consistency.
5. Assemble the Salad:
   • In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of chopped iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup of grated cabbage, 1 chopped carrot, 1/4 zucchini (chopped), and 1/2 cucumber (chopped).
   • Add 2-3 tbsp of the prepared pineapple dressing and toss the veggies well to coat.
6. Combine the Chicken and Vegetables:
   • Add the prepared pineapple chicken into the salad bowl with the veggies.
   • Gently toss everything together to combine the flavors.
7. Serve:
   • Transfer the salad to a serving plate.
   • Serving Suggestion: Serve the salad inside a burger bun. Line the bun with lettuce, add a little dressing, top with the pineapple chicken salad, close the bun, and enjoy a flavorful and healthy chicken burger.

video recipe

step pics

in a pan, take washed and chopped boneless chicken pieces

add salt

add kashmiri chilli powder

pour oil required for the chicken to get cooked.

mix everything well.

switch on the stove and cook until it is slightly roasted

cook until all the sides are slightly roasted. keep tossing to evenly cook on all sides

add chopped onions

cook the onions to soft texture.

add chopped pineapple

cook until the pineapple is cooked and soft.

add chopped celery

chopped spring onion

cook for a minute

add the pineapple juice

cook it again until the pineapple juice is all absorbed in the chicken pieces.

cook until dry

in a bowl, add paneer, pineapple, pepper, salt, green chilli

add lemon juice

grind it to a paste adding little water to make it to a dressing consistency

thin but not runny.

in a mixing bowl, add chopped lettuce

add chopped carrots, chopped cucumbers, chopped zucchini, grated cabbages

add 3-4 tbsp of dresssing to the salad.

mix well.

add the pineapple chicken to it

mix again

layer lettuce, salad on a burger with the extra dressing to make it juicy

have it as a burger stuffing.

or as a salad topped with dressing .

Expert Tips:

• Pineapple Juice: Use freshly made pineapple juice for the best flavor. Avoid store-bought varieties, which may contain added sugars.
• Paneer in Dressing: Paneer gives the dressing a creamy texture, balancing the spice and sweetness of the pineapple.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of green chili in the dressing based on your spice preference.
• Add Crunch: For extra texture, you can add some roasted peanuts or sesame seeds as a final garnish.

This Pineapple Chicken Salad is perfect for a light meal or even as a creative burger filling. The sweet and spicy flavors, combined with crunchy vegetables, create a refreshing and satisfying dish!