Honey Hot Chicken Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Honey Hot Chicken Salad offers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors combined with fresh, crisp vegetables. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that’s great for lunch or a light dinner. The combination of honey garlic and buffalo sauce gives the chicken a delicious kick.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
- ¼ cup honey garlic sauce
- ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce (or plain hot sauce like Frank’s Red Hot)
- 2 heads romaine lettuce (chopped and washed)
- 3-6 tablespoons ranch dressing (or any dressing of choice)
- ½ medium red onion (diced)
- 1 large red bell pepper (diced)
- ½ large cucumber (diced)
- Cheese, shredded (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the cooked diced chicken with honey garlic sauce and buffalo wing sauce. Toss well to evenly coat the chicken.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with your choice of ranch or other dressing until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Divide the dressed lettuce between two large plates or bowls. Top with diced red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, shredded cheese if using, and the honey hot chicken.
- Step 4: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste and crisp texture.
Tips & Variations
- Use rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut that adds extra flavor.
- Substitute blue cheese dressing for ranch to add a tangy twist.
- Add avocado slices or cherry tomatoes for extra creaminess and color.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the buffalo sauce or substitute with a milder hot sauce.
Storage
Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the chicken and dressing apart from the lettuce and vegetables to prevent sogginess. Reheat the chicken briefly before serving again, then toss with fresh greens.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use raw chicken for this recipe?
This recipe calls for cooked, diced chicken. You should cook the chicken thoroughly before mixing it with the sauces and salad.
What dressing pairs best with this salad?
Ranch dressing complements the spicy honey hot chicken nicely, but you can also try blue cheese or a simple vinaigrette depending on your taste preference.
PrintHoney Hot Chicken Salad Recipe
This Honey Hot Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender cooked chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy honey garlic and buffalo wing sauce. Served over fresh romaine lettuce and crisp vegetables with a creamy ranch dressing, it’s a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 2 Chicken Breasts (cooked and diced)
- ¼ cup Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup Buffalo Wing Sauce (or plain hot sauce like Frank’s Red Hot)
Salad
- 2 heads Romaine Lettuce (chopped and washed)
- 3–6 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing (or any dressing of choice)
- ½ medium Red Onion (diced)
- 1 large Red Bell Pepper (diced)
- ½ large Cucumber (diced)
- Cheese (shredded, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the cooked and diced chicken with the honey garlic sauce and buffalo wing sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the spicy and sweet sauce.
- Dress the Lettuce: In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with your choice of ranch dressing or preferred dressing until the leaves are lightly coated and fresh.
- Assemble the Salad: Divide the dressed lettuce between two large plates or bowls. Top each with diced red onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, shredded cheese if using, and finish by placing the honey hot chicken mixture on top. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked chicken or quickly grill or bake chicken breasts ahead of time.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to control the spiciness level to your preference.
- Ranch dressing can be substituted with blue cheese dressing or a vinaigrette for a different flavor profile.
- Optional cheese adds richness – cheddar or pepper jack works well.
- For a low-carb version, omit the dressing or use a low-fat option.
Keywords: Honey Hot Chicken Salad, spicy chicken salad, buffalo chicken salad, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken salad, quick lunch recipe
