Chicken Cashew Salad
A vibrant chicken salad with juicy pineapple, crunchy cashews, and fresh vegetables, perfectly balanced with tangy and sweet flavors, ideal for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breasts ⓘ
- 2 c. pineapple juice ⓘ
- 1/2 c. wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ginger ⓘ
- 1/2 c. honey
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 large pineapple, cubed ⓘ
- 6 large stalks celery, sliced ⓘ
- 1 can water chestnuts, sliced
- 1/2 large red pepper, strips ⓘ
- 1/2 large green pepper, strips
- 1 large English cucumber, sliced and quartered ⓘ
- 1 head lettuce, broken ⓘ
- 2 c. roasted cashews ⓘ
- 1/2 c. pineapple juice ⓘ
- 1/4 c. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/2 c. red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. ginger ⓘ
Instructions
- Marinate chicken breasts in a mixture of 2 cups pineapple juice, wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt for 4 to 5 hours.
- Either bake the marinated chicken and then cut it into pieces, or cut it first and stir-fry until cooked through.
- Prepare the salad by combining cubed pineapple, sliced celery, sliced water chestnuts, red and green pepper strips, sliced and quartered cucumber, and broken lettuce in a large bowl.
- Add the cooked chicken to the salad mixture.
- Mix together 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Sprinkle roasted cashews on top before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. If you're short on fresh ginger, ground ginger can work in a pinch, though fresh is preferable for its vibrant flavor. You can also use mixed nuts instead of cashews for a different texture. This recipe is versatile—feel free to add any seasonal vegetables you have on hand.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Cashew Salad as a light main dish or a side for a summer barbecue. It pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables or a side of quinoa for a complete meal. For a refreshing touch, consider adding slices of avocado or a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top before serving, enhancing both flavor and presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat until heated through, avoiding overcooking. The salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored separately if you want to keep the lettuce crisp.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Cashew Salad contains roughly 1140 calories, with 2g protein, 60g carbohydrates, and 101g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (113% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1315mg per serving (57% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken works well. Just shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces and toss it into the salad. This can save time and add extra flavor, making it a great way to use up leftovers from other chicken recipes.
Is it possible to make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately in advance. Assemble everything just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp. If marinating the chicken ahead of time, ensure it’s cooked the day before and stored in the fridge until you're ready to mix the salad.
What can I substitute for cashews if I have a nut allergy?
If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute the cashews with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch without the allergens. Alternatively, you can omit the nuts altogether and add extra vegetables like sliced radishes or carrots for added texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).