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Hot Honey Chicken Salad

Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad – A Game-Changer for Dinner Salads


  • Author: Lyndy
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Hot Honey Chicken Salad delivers a perfect mix of sweet, spicy, crunchy, and juicy ingredients, all tossed together in a fresh and flavorful dinner salad. Great for meal prep, post-workout meals, or weeknight dinners.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1½ tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Salad Base:

  • 5 oz mixed salad greens or romaine
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • 1 avocado, sliced

Optional Toppings:

  • ¼ cup crumbled feta (omit for dairy-free)
  • 2 tbsp roasted sunflower seeds or chopped pecans
  • Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro

For the Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Chicken: Pat dry and season chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Rest and slice.
  2. Make the Hot Honey Glaze: In a saucepan over low heat, warm honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes until slightly thickened. Brush over sliced chicken while warm.
  3. Build the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine greens, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and onions. Top with avocado and herbs.
  4. Mix the Dressing: Shake or whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
  5. Assemble the Salad: Place sliced glazed chicken on salad. Drizzle with dressing and add optional toppings.
  6. Serve: Best served immediately while the chicken is warm.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken: Warm slightly and glaze for a quicker version.
  • Make it vegetarian: Use crispy tofu or grilled halloumi instead of chicken.
  • Storage: Store chicken and salad separately; assemble before serving.
  • Spice level: Adjust hot sauce and pepper flakes to taste.
  • Dressing swap: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a plant-based option.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken Salad, spicy chicken salad, sweet and spicy salad, healthy chicken salad recipe, hot honey glazed chicken