Chicken salad surprise: Enjoy fresh flavors in minutes
Chicken salad with Napa cabbage and pineapple is a simple combination that always has its fans. It's nutritious and well-balanced in flavor. The cabbage and pineapple contribute a feeling of lightness, while the fried chicken effectively satisfies the appetite. Although everything is mixed with mayonnaise, the salad doesn't leave a feeling of heaviness.
When planning a menu for a party, opt for snacks that won't take much of your time. Quick chicken salads are perfect for this role. They are easy to prepare in larger quantities and won’t strain your budget. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s ready.
What chicken to use for a quick salad?
You can make the salad in two ways:
1) The first version is with smoked chicken — this method is easier because it doesn't require cooking the meat. Simply dice the smoked chicken breast or thigh and mix it with the other ingredients. You can also use smoked turkey.
2) In the second variant, there is fried chicken — you need to clean and cut the raw filet into pieces and then marinate them in spices. Mix a tablespoon of oil with salt, pepper, and ground paprika. Finally, fry on a hot pan until golden brown.
Easy recipe for chicken and Napa cabbage salad
For a large bowl of salad, you need:
- 1 Napa cabbage,
- chicken breast,
- 1 tablespoon of oil,
- 1 teaspoon of salt,
- 1 teaspoon of pepper,
- 1 teaspoon of ground sweet paprika,
- red and yellow bell pepper,
- 1 can of pineapple,
- 1 can of corn,
- 2 ounces of mayonnaise.
Prepare the salad in four simple steps:
Step 1. Dice the chicken breast, mix with spices, and fry in a pan.
Step 2. Cut the red and yellow peppers in half. Remove the seeds and then dice both peppers.
Step 3. Drain the pineapple and corn. If possible, use fresh pineapple. Just remember to remove the inedible core.
Step 4. In a large bowl, mix the fried chicken, two types of peppers, pineapple, corn, and mayonnaise. You can serve the salad immediately, but it’s worth placing it in the refrigerator for a while to let the flavors meld.
Quick chicken salad in various versions
Neutral in flavor, chicken breast is an ideal component for many different salads. You can be inspired by the recipe for the classic Caesar salad or experiment on your own with extras. Add rice or pasta, blanched broccoli, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, capers, olives, or feta cheese.
You can replace mayonnaise with vinaigrette or hummus if you prefer oriental flavors. Sprinkle the prepared salad with fresh herbs, such as finely chopped dill, parsley, cilantro leaves, or basil.
