Colorado Cache Chicken Salad
A flavorful chicken salad featuring grapes, water chestnuts, pecans, and a tangy dressing, served on pineapple slices for a refreshing, elegant dish perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4 whole chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup seedless grapes ⓘ
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon candied ginger, finely minced ⓘ
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons onion, very finely minced ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder ⓘ
- 6 slices canned or fresh pineapple
- lettuce leaves ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, soy sauce, finely minced onion, and curry powder to make the dressing. Chill for several hours or overnight.
- Toss the chilled dressing with cooked, diced chicken breasts, sliced water chestnuts, chopped pecans, seedless grapes, finely chopped celery, and minced candied ginger.
- Arrange pineapple slices on lettuce leaves and spoon the chicken salad mixture onto the pineapple slices before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist on the texture, try adding sliced apples or pears instead of grapes. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a lighter dressing. If you prefer a crunchier salad, consider adding chopped bell peppers or carrots. This chicken salad is a great way to use leftover chicken from dishes like Easy Chicken Bake.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chicken salad on a bed of fresh greens or as a filling for a sandwich. It pairs beautifully with a side of fresh fruit or a light soup. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Dill Chicken or a refreshing cucumber salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If the salad becomes too watery from the dressing, you can refresh it by adding a bit more mayonnaise or yogurt. Reheat any remaining chicken separately in the microwave or on the stovetop before adding it back into the salad.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Colorado Cache Chicken Salad contains roughly 279 calories, with 9g protein, 9g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is a good source of protein (17% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (13% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1407mg per serving (61% 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 make this chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dressing and chicken salad mixture a day in advance. Just keep the dressing and chicken salad separate until you're ready to serve to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
What can I use instead of pecans?
If you're looking for an alternative to pecans, walnuts or slivered almonds work well in this salad. You can also omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
Is there a vegetarian option for this salad?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with chickpeas or a mix of roasted vegetables for a hearty vegetarian version. Tofu can also be used for a protein boost while keeping the salad light and refreshing.
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).