Chicken and Pineapple Salad
A summer wouldn’t really be summer without this dish. In my family this salad has been around for as long as I can remember, and it feels like an old friend — you might go a while without seeing it, but just thinking about it brings a smile to your face and makes you want to enjoy its company. The first time I offered it to Cesmm, he frowned at the whole pineapple thing, but once he got past those first doubts he became yet another addict of this delicious salad.
What do we need?
(serves 4)
1 whole chicken1 can of pineapple, or fresh pineapple (even better)1 head of lettuceMayonnaise
How do we make it?
First, boil the chicken in a pot with water and salt. Let it cook for a good while (2 hours) until you can see it’s well done and the meat practically falls off the thigh bone on its own.
Once the chicken is cooked and has cooled down a bit, shred it with your hands into medium-sized pieces (just right for a bite).
Wash the lettuce and slice it into very thin strips (julienne).
Separately, cut the pineapple slices (or fresh pineapple) into small pieces.
Build your salad by laying down a layer of lettuce, then pineapple, then chicken. Repeat the process, pressing down well with your hands so it packs together tightly.
Finally, add a layer of mayonnaise on top and let it rest in the fridge.
Tips:
- It doesn’t matter if there are leftovers — once it’s “rested” the salad is just as good, or even better.
- Don’t throw away the broth from boiling the chicken; you can use it for rice, soup, etc.
- You can sprinkle some chopped walnuts or hazelnuts on top of the mayonnaise. They add the perfect finishing touch.
*[English version] CHICKEN & PINEAPPLE SALAD
- **Ingredients:- 1 whole chicken
1 lettuce
Fresh pineapple or canned pineapple
Mayonnaise
Place chicken in a large pot and add water to cover. Add some salt, cover pot and bring to boil. Cook for about 2 hours or until chicken meat is falling off the bone.
When chicken is boiled and cooled shred chicken using your fingers.
Wash lettuce and chop finely.
Dice pineapple.
Place the ingredients by layers: lettuce, pineapple and chicken. Repeat the order and press with your hands.
Add some mayonnaise on the top.
Tips:- If there is some salad left, no problem, it will be even better the day after!
Don’t discard the water from boiled chicken, you can use it to cook rice, soup, etc.
You can add some chopped nuts or hazelnuts on the top. Simply delicious!
Comments
Marisa (2012-08-07 08:24:55):
What lovely photos! I know this dish — although I don’t plate it as nicely, I chop the lettuce really, really finely and press the layers down as I go.
silvia (2012-08-07 21:39:01):
I’m getting hungry, and it looks so refreshing!! I tried it at Fuentes and I can confirm it was really tasty… maybe I’ll make it tomorrow for lunch…
zordor (2012-08-10 01:55:25):
Without a doubt this recipe is one of the crown jewels of our family wisdom, hehe. For me the best part is that one chicken yields a tooon of salad, it’s super refreshing, and you can make it the day before, for the next day, or even the day after that — just pull it out of the fridge and eat! A really refreshing dish, one of the best things going for summer.
Ociore (2012-08-30 17:23:25):
Oh, if you only knew that your brother revealed this secret family recipe of yours to me years ago, when I was just starting out with my blog (in London)… XD The truth is, looking at the photos, the salad looks amazing! By the way, congrats on your blog!! :) Greetings from Heidiland. ;)
Antz (2012-08-31 09:54:24):
Like Ces, I was wary of the whole pineapple thing… but after trying it last night, I have to say I’ve been converted to the pineapple world!! A 10/10 combo!!! :D
La Enana (2012-09-14 22:54:08):
Mmmmmmh I love this salad!!!!!!! :) I like to top mine with some lightly crushed hazelnuts!!
20 low-calorie salad recipes - Me Siento Guapa (2014-01-07 16:01:33):
[…] Chicken and pineapple salad […]