Sunny Tropical Chicken Slaw with Pineapple Vinaigrette Recipe

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that burst with flavor, and this vibrant tropical chicken slaw captures the essence of sunny island cuisine.

Bold pineapple vinaigrette weaves through crisp vegetables and tender chicken, creating a dance of tangy and sweet notes.

Colorful ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a plate that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Each forkful delivers a tropical escape with crunchy cabbage, juicy chicken, and bright citrus undertones.

Fresh herbs add an aromatic layer that elevates the entire dish beyond ordinary salads.

The recipe balances nutrition and excitement, making it perfect for lunch or a casual dinner.

You’ll love how quickly this slaw comes together, bringing a slice of paradise to your table.

How To Serve Tropical Chicken Slaw

• Tropical Beach Picnic: Pack this zesty slaw in portable containers for a sunshine-filled beach lunch that captures island vibes and refreshes hungry friends.
• Protein Power Bowl: Layer the slaw over quinoa or brown rice, adding extra chicken or grilled shrimp for a hearty, nutrient-packed meal that keeps you energized.
• Taco Night Twist: Use the slaw as a vibrant topping for fish tacos or as a crunchy side that adds brightness and tropical flavor to your Mexican-inspired dinner spread.
• Elegant Appetizer Presentation: Serve small portions in cocktail glasses or on crisp lettuce leaves as a sophisticated starter that wows guests with its colorful, fresh appearance.

Tropical Slaw Storage Tips

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store this tropical slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the dressing separate if possible to maintain the crispness of the cabbage and prevent soggy textures.
• Flavor Boost Tip: Allow the slaw to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to enhance the blend of pineapple, chicken, and vinaigrette flavors. The ingredients will marry beautifully during this short marinating time.
• Ingredient Freshness Hack: Chop vegetables and prepare chicken just before mixing to ensure maximum crunch and vibrant taste. Cut pineapple chunks and vegetables right before assembling to prevent browning and maintain their bright colors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken and chop vegetables in advance, storing them separately in sealed containers. Mix the components just before serving to keep the slaw fresh and crunchy. The vinaigrette can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Tropical Slaw Ingredients You’ll Love

• Pineapple Juice: Adds bright, sweet tropical essence and helps create smooth, tangy base.
• White Vinegar: Provides sharp acidity that balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that creates harmonious blend and helps emulsify dressing.
• Olive Oil: Creates silky texture and carries flavor throughout the vinaigrette.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds depth, helps emulsify ingredients, and provides subtle spicy undertone.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all flavor profiles in the vinaigrette.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle warmth and complexity to the dressing.

• Shredded Chicken: Lean protein that makes salad substantial and satisfying.
• Green Cabbage: Crisp base with mild flavor and excellent crunch.
• Red Cabbage: Adds beautiful color contrast and earthy, peppery undertone.
• Pineapple Chunks: Introduces sweet, juicy tropical element with vibrant freshness.
• Red Bell Pepper: Provides bright color, sweet crunch, and nutritional boost.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp bite and aromatic complexity to the slaw.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh, herbal note with distinctive bright flavor.

• Nuts: Optional topping that introduces rich, crunchy texture and nutty depth.

Tools For Pineapple Chicken Slaw

• Whisk: Essential for blending vinaigrette ingredients smoothly.
• Small bowl or jar: Perfect for mixing dressing ingredients together.
• Large bowl: Needed to combine and toss slaw ingredients.
• Cutting board: For chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Required to shred chicken and chop vegetables precisely.
• Measuring spoons and cups: Help ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

Easy Steps For Tropical Chicken Slaw

• Create Vibrant Vinaigrette

Blend tangy pineapple juice with zesty vinegar, sweet honey, smooth olive oil, and bold Dijon mustard. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

• Build Colorful Chicken Medley

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in tender shredded chicken. Add crisp cabbage varieties, juicy pineapple chunks, crunchy red bell pepper, sharp red onion, and fresh cilantro. Gently mix the ingredients so they dance together without falling apart.

• Drench with Tropical Flavor

Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the slaw. Use tongs or salad servers to coat every morsel, ensuring each bite will be bursting with bright, refreshing flavors.

• Finish and Feast

If desired, sprinkle some crunchy nuts on top for extra texture. Serve immediately for maximum zest, or let the slaw chill for half an hour to allow the flavors to mingle and intensify. Enjoy your tropical culinary adventure!

Tips To Brighten Up The Slaw

• Perfect Texture Trick: Let the slaw sit for 30 minutes before serving to allow the vinaigrette to soften the cabbage and blend flavors deeply.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken and chop vegetables up to a day in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to maintain crispness.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken with grilled tofu, black beans, or shrimp for versatile protein options that keep the tropical vibe alive.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Skip honey in the vinaigrette and use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia to reduce carbohydrate content without losing sweetness.
• Allergy-Friendly Option: Substitute nuts with toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for those with tree nut allergies while maintaining a delightful crunch.

Vibrant Tropical Chicken Slaw With Pineapple Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Zesty tropical chicken slaw with pineapple vinaigrette brings Caribbean flavors to your plate. Crisp cabbage, tender grilled chicken, and tangy dressing combine for a refreshing summer meal that satisfies hungry diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) shredded chicken
• 3 cups (720 ml) shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup (240 ml) pineapple chunks
• ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) cashews or sliced almonds
• ½ cup (120 ml) pineapple juice
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Vinaigrette Preparation: Whisk pineapple juice, vinegar, honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until the dressing transforms into a smooth, unified tropical elixir.
2. Slaw Assembly: Combine shredded chicken, green and purple cabbage, pineapple chunks, crimson bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro leaves in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and textural canvas of colors and flavors.
3. Dressing and Finishing: Drizzle the pineapple vinaigrette over the slaw, gently folding to ensure an even, glistening coating. Sprinkle chopped nuts across the surface for added crunch and visual intrigue. Serve immediately or chill briefly to allow flavors to meld and intensify.

Notes

• Prevent Watery Slaw: Pat cabbage dry after shredding to remove excess moisture and maintain crisp texture, ensuring the vinaigrette doesn’t become diluted.
• Optimize Chicken Preparation: Use rotisserie chicken or quickly grill and shred fresh chicken for maximum flavor and tender meat that absorbs the vinaigrette beautifully.
• Balance Vinaigrette Acidity: Adjust honey and vinegar ratios to suit personal taste, creating a perfect sweet-tangy balance that complements the fresh ingredients.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to preserve crunchiness and prevent soggy salad, keeping ingredients vibrant and fresh.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg