Best Polynesian Chicken Salad With Baby Spinach Recipes

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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.

BABY SPINACH SALAD WITH DATES AND ALMONDS



Baby Spinach Salad With Dates and Almonds image

Sumac, a tart, deep-red spice, is a key ingredient for this recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi, which was featured in a Times article about his cookbook with Sami Tamimi, "Jerusalem." Procuring the spice may be the most challenging thing about this refreshing, well-balanced salad. The pita and almonds are cooked for a few minutes on the stovetop, but that is the only heat required. As for the sumac, it can be found at Middle Eastern groceries, in a well-stocked spice aisle or, as always, online.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     easy, salads and dressings

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon wine vinegar
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
3 1/2 ounces dates (100 grams), preferably Medjool, pitted and quartered lengthwise
Salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30 grams)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 small pitas (about 3 1/2 ounces, or 100 grams), roughly torn into 1 1/2 -inch pieces
1/2 cup whole unsalted almonds (75 grams), coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons sumac
1/2 teaspoon chile flakes
5 to 6 ounces baby spinach leaves (150 grams)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps:

  • Put vinegar, onion and dates in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and mix well with your hands. Leave to marinate for 20 minutes, then drain any residual vinegar and discard.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add pita and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring all the time, until pita is golden. Add almonds and continue cooking until pita is crunchy and browned and almonds are toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and mix in sumac, chile flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside to cool.
  • When ready to serve, toss spinach leaves with pita mix in a large mixing bowl. Add dates and red onion, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the lemon juice and another pinch of salt. Taste for seasoning and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 232, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 209 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CHICKEN AND SPINACH PASTA SALAD



Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad image

My family loves pasta salads, but usually they have too much mayonnaise or oily dressing. Using hummus gives this dish a great taste and texture, while also increasing its nutritional profile. Adding chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken works well), makes this pasta salad a complete meal. -Jenny Lynch, Rock Island, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces uncooked whole wheat rotini
1/2 cup hummus
3 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water., Combine hummus, salad dressing, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add pasta; toss to coat. Stir in spinach, chicken, tomatoes and olives. Sprinkle with feta. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 405mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges

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

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

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