Volcano Salad
A vibrant, tropical-inspired salad featuring tender chicken, rice, pineapple, and crunchy noodles, perfect for a flavorful, satisfying meal with sweet and savory notes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by boiling it, then debone and dice.
- Cool the cooked chicken.
- Thicken the chicken broth with cornstarch to make gravy.
- Prepare the rest of the ingredients into individual bowls: diced celery, chopped onion, crushed pineapple, chow mein noodles, shredded coconut, sunflower kernels, and seasonings.
- Cook the rice according to package instructions, approximately 5 minutes for Minute rice.
- Assemble the salad on a plate in the following order: rice, chicken, gravy, pineapple, onion, celery, sunflower kernels, coconut, chow mein noodles, and a final layer of gravy.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper before boiling. You can substitute cooked quinoa or couscous for Minute rice for a different texture. Additionally, feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to enhance the salad's freshness. This Volcano Salad is perfect for using leftover chicken from recipes like Velvet Chicken Soup.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Volcano Salad as a hearty main dish, or pair it with a light side like steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad. For a complete meal, consider offering a fruity dessert or a refreshing beverage alongside. This dish also pairs beautifully with Hot Chef'S Salad for a diverse and satisfying meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent the rice from drying out. Microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Avoid reheating more than once to preserve quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Volcano Salad contains roughly 868 calories, with 35g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 41g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (69% of the Daily Value), iron (40% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1793mg per serving (78% 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 recipe?
Absolutely! Using leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken you have on hand can save time and enhance the flavor of your Volcano Salad. Just ensure that the chicken is diced into small pieces for even distribution throughout the salad.
What can I substitute for cornstarch in the gravy?
If you don't have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour or arrowroot powder as a thickening agent. Just mix it with a bit of cold water before adding it to the hot broth to avoid clumping. Each option will work well to thicken the gravy for your salad.
Is there a vegetarian version of Volcano Salad?
Yes, you can easily create a vegetarian version by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead. You can replace the chicken with hearty vegetables like mushrooms or chickpeas for protein, and keep the other ingredients the same for a delicious meat-free alternative.
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).