Description
This vibrant Chicken Mango Salad combines tender cooked chicken breasts with fresh romaine lettuce, baby spinach, juicy mango, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, all brought together with a zesty homemade dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic. It's a refreshing and healthy meal perfect for warm days or light lunches, offering a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and fruity sweetness.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked chicken breasts, sliced
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried, and chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 mango, pitted, peeled, and diced
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber, sliced and cut into half moons
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup parsley or cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the greens: Add chopped romaine lettuce and baby spinach to a large salad bowl, creating a fresh and crunchy base for the salad.
- Add salad toppings: Layer the bowl with sliced cooked chicken, diced mango, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, diced red onion, and chopped parsley or cilantro. Set this mixture aside while preparing the dressing.
- Make the dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference for balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the freshly made dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl, ensuring everything is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- Serve: Toss gently if desired and serve immediately for a fresh and delicious meal perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken breasts that are grilled, baked, or poached for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust honey quantity in dressing depending on your preferred sweetness level.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of chili flakes to the dressing.
- This salad can be prepared ahead but dress just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley can be substituted based on availability and preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming chicken is pre-cooked)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
