{"id":20452,"date":"2014-06-30T00:30:48","date_gmt":"2014-06-30T04:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=20452"},"modified":"2014-06-29T22:47:32","modified_gmt":"2014-06-30T02:47:32","slug":"pineapple-chicken-salad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2014\/06\/30\/pineapple-chicken-salad\/","title":{"rendered":"Pineapple-Chicken Salad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Y\u2019know when a friend is on vacation and they post gorgeous photos of beautiful scenery, fun-in-the-sun…and yummy food?!! (Well maybe just a pic or two of yummy food!) \u00a0My friend, Cynda, and her family recently vacationed at the beach in Mexico. She included amongst all of the gorgeous sunrise scenes, and shots of her grandson being adorable, a pic of a delightful chicken salad that she enjoyed for lunch one day. It looked SO good that I was prompted me to make it for supper! This recipe fits the bill for our \u2018healthy but oh-so-yummy<\/em>\u2019 POV since it is loaded with veggies, the fruit of an entire pineapple, and lowfat chicken breast. I also used equal portions of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt to lessen the fat grams\/calories of the dressing. Perhaps this isn\u2019t exactly the same recipe as the chef who prepared it for Cynda but we enjoyed it very much…hope you and your family do, too!<\/p>\n

NOTE:<\/strong> <\/em>\u00a0This salad should be put together IMMEDIATELY before serving! \u00a0Trust me. \u00a0I learned this lesson the hard way\u2014I had to prepare this meal TWICE. \u00a0While a delightful combo when eaten fresh, pineapple and chicken do NOT marry well to sit around together!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Early one afternoon, I put this salad together and tucked it away in the refrigerator awaiting suppertime. Pulled it out, layered the pineapple shells with Boston lettuce leaves, piled in the salad, scattered the nuts atop, and proudly carried those plates to the table. We sat down, thanked our gracious God for His provision of food and His blessings, scooped up that first bite, popped it into our mouths…and then right back out. Ummm, yeah. YUCK!<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Robert immediately blamed the chicken for being bad (but I knew it was just fine).<\/p>\n

I did a little sleuthing around the internet and found out that the enzymes in the pineapple had \u2018cooked\u2019 the <already cooked> chicken and changed the texture and taste. (I can attest to that!) \u00a0EPIC failure! \u00a0But I remade the recipe…and this time added the pineapple (as the recipe NOW reads) just prior to serving<\/strong><\/em><\/span>. \u00a0Problem solved…it was delicious! \u00a0So, eat it all up…go ahead, I am giving you permission. \u00a0This will not<\/strong><\/em> be good if you save leftovers for tomorrow\u2019s lunch.<\/p>\n

Pineapple – Chicken Salad<\/h3>\n

\"2014-06-26<\/a><\/p>\n

(makes 2 generous portions)<\/p>\n

ingredients<\/span><\/strong>:
\n2 cups cooked chicken*, chopped \"2014-06-26<\/a>
\n<\/a>1\/3 cup shredded carrots
\n1\/3 cup finely sliced sweet onion
\n1\/3 cup finely chopped celery
\n1\/3 cup EACH diced red and yellow pepper
\nfruit of 1 fresh pineapple (here is a\u00a0great tutorial<\/a> on how to cut \u00a0a pineapple)
\n1\/3 cup mayonnaise
\n1\/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
\n1\/2 teaspoon garlic powder
\n1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning, freshly ground
\npineapple boats
\nlettuce leaves
\npitas, or flour tortillas (optional)
\nslivered almonds (or chopped nuts of your choosing)<\/p>\n

*I poached 1# of chicken breast but you could use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken<\/p>\n

directions<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n