Tropical Chicken Slaw with Pineapple Vinaigrette is a colorful and refreshing salad packed with shredded chicken, crunchy cabbage, sweet pineapple, and a zesty homemade vinaigrette. It’s light, juicy, and bursting with tropical flavor—perfect as a main dish or side!
For the Slaw:
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or grilled works great)
3 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1/4 cup chopped cashews or sliced almonds (optional, for crunch)
For the Pineapple Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup pineapple juice (fresh or from the can)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
Make the Vinaigrette:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together pineapple juice, vinegar, honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
Assemble the Slaw:
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, both cabbages, pineapple chunks, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Toss gently to mix.
Dress the Salad:
Pour the pineapple vinaigrette over the slaw and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Serve:
Top with nuts if using, and serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the dressing.
This salad holds up well in the fridge and is great for meal prep.
Try adding mango or shredded carrots for even more tropical flair.