Best 6 Polynesian Chicken Salad With Baby Spinach Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the Polynesian islands with this tantalizing chicken salad recipe. This dish takes you on a tropical adventure, combining zesty Polynesian flavors with the freshness of baby spinach. The chicken salad offers a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, while the baby spinach adds a vibrant crunch and nutritional boost. Dive into the vibrant flavors of this Polynesian chicken salad and discover a taste of paradise in every bite.

In addition to the main Polynesian chicken salad recipe, the article also includes variations and additional recipes to cater to different preferences and dietary needs. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, a tofu version of the salad is provided, offering a protein-packed alternative. Craving a creamy twist? The creamy Polynesian chicken salad incorporates mayonnaise for a luscious, indulgent experience. For those seeking a gluten-free option, the gluten-free Polynesian chicken salad utilizes gluten-free ingredients to ensure enjoyment for all.

The article concludes with a delightful pineapple chicken salad recipe, adding a touch of tropical sweetness and a burst of refreshing pineapple flavors to the mix. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to deliver a unique taste experience, allowing you to explore the diverse culinary landscape of Polynesian cuisine.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

POLYNESIAN CHICKEN SALAD



Polynesian Chicken Salad image

After decades of sad salads made from cold iceberg lettuce and flavorless supermarket tomatoes, the people of the 1970s were ready for salad excitement. They started including "exotic" ingredients like mandarin oranges and macadamia nuts that had become readily available in supermarkets. Then they added lots of mayonnaise and sour cream (because this is still America) and served it all on a few leaves of iceberg lettuce, because that's what officially makes things a salad. Eventually we wised up and realized that Polynesian chicken salad shouldn't be considered a "healthy" salad -- but goshdarnit is it ever tasty (seriously).

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 8 first course servings or 4 entree servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 rotisserie chicken
One 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
One 11-ounce can mandarin oranges packed in juice, drained
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup halved seedless red grapes
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1 small head iceberg lettuce

Steps:

  • Remove the skin from the rotisserie chicken, then rip into small pieces and set aside. Remove the meat and discard the carcass, then shred the meat into small pieces.
  • Drain the canned pineapple, reserving the juice. Put the pineapple in a large bowl with the chicken meat, drained mandarin oranges, celery, carrots and grapes.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, garam masala, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add a bit of the reserved pineapple juice to thin out until pourable.
  • Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken skin and macadamia nuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are toasted and the skin is crispy.
  • Pour the dressing over the chicken salad and toss well to coat.
  • Line four plates with whole iceberg lettuce leaves, then mound some chicken salad in the center of each. Top each salad with chicken skin and macadamia nuts. Serve immediately.

POLYNESIAN CHICKEN SALAD WITH BABY SPINACH



Polynesian Chicken Salad with Baby Spinach image

Chicken, Fruit, Spinach, Romaine, all tossed into a salad? Yummy!

Provided by Debbie Quimby

Categories     Chicken Salads

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 c baby spinach leaves
2 c torn romaine lettuce
1 large red pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 c canned mandarin oranges, drained
1/4 c red raspberry vinaigrette with poppy seed dressing
1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
2 Tbsp cashews
2 Tbsp flaked coconut, toasted

Steps:

  • 1. Toss spinach and romaine with the peppers and oranges in a bowl.
  • 2. Add dressing; mix lightly and spoon onto a serving platter or two salad plates.
  • 3. Top with chicken; sprinkle with cashews and toasted coconut.
  • 4. Note: to toast the coconut, spread evenly in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring occasionally. Watch carefully, coconut can burn easily.
  • 5. Note: For a different taste, substitue 1/2 lb cooked, cleaned shrimp for the chicken.

POLYNESIAN CHICKEN SALAD



Polynesian Chicken Salad image

This delicious chicken salad recipe was given to me by my aunt. The cooking time listed is the time to chill the salad before serving.

Provided by Dreamgoddess

Categories     Pineapple

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups chicken, cooked and diced in small pieces
1 1/2 cups celery, diced
1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks, white seedless grapes, or a combination of both
1/4 cup carrot, shredded
1/4 cup toasted almond halve
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
salad greens

Steps:

  • Combine chicken, celery, pineapple or grapes, carrots and almods.
  • Stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, curry powder, lemon juice and salt.
  • Pour over the chicken and toss lightly.
  • Chill for about an hour to allow the flavors to develop before arranging on salad greens and serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 174, Fat 11.5, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 10.1, Sodium 365.4, Carbohydrate 17.5, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 11.6, Protein 2.2

BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH BABY SPINACH



Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach image

Provided by Ellie Krieger

Categories     main-dish

Time 18m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved
8 ounces baby spinach
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup low-sodium canned chopped tomatoes with juice
2 cups whole wheat couscous, cooked

Steps:

  • Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove the chicken and set aside. To the same pan, add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Lower the heat to medium and add the balsamic vinegar and chicken broth to the pan and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Add the tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Place the couscous in a serving bowl. Top with the spinach, chicken and balsamic-tomato sauce.

HAWAIIAN SPINACH SALAD



Hawaiian Spinach Salad image

Toss together fresh spinach, veggies, pineapple and ham for this light, lovely main-dish salad. -Anita Ashe, Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups grape tomatoes
2/3 cup seeded chopped cucumber
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
8 slices red onion, halved
1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained
8 ounces sliced deli ham, julienned
1/3 cup fat-free poppy seed salad dressing

Steps:

  • Divide spinach among four plates. Top with tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms and onion. Arrange pineapple and ham over salad. Drizzle with dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 184 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 615mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SPINACH AND CHICKEN SALAD



Spinach and Chicken Salad image

This salad tastes great and packs a super nutritional punch! Try it with any dressing, but my favorite is a fat free roasted garlic vinaigrette.

Provided by JESSICAWILLIAMS

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes     Spinach Salad Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach, rinsed and dried
4 cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, sliced
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
½ cup black olives
3 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
½ cup fat-free roasted garlic salad dressing

Steps:

  • Place equal portions of spinach onto four salad plates. Arrange chicken, zucchini, bell pepper, and black olives over spinach, and top with cheese. Drizzle dressing over salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Carbohydrate 16.5 g, Cholesterol 97.8 mg, Fat 11.9 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 36 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 727.3 mg, Sugar 6.7 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • If you don't have time to cook the chicken, you can use rotisserie chicken instead.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of mayonnaise and sour cream to your liking.
  • Add some chopped celery or red onion for extra crunch.
  • Serve the salad on a bed of lettuce or baby spinach for a healthy and refreshing meal.

Conclusion:

Polynesian chicken salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With its sweet and tangy flavor, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table.

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