Chicken Mango Salad Recipe
Looking for a burst of color, flavor, and sunshine on your plate? This Chicken Mango Salad brings together juicy chicken, ultra-sweet mangoes, creamy avocado, and a rainbow of crisp vegetables. It’s a fresh, vibrant meal that feels both indulgent and light, making it the perfect pick for busy weeknights, summer lunches, or whenever you crave a healthy dish that never feels boring. This recipe will show you just how easy it is to toss together a salad that truly tastes special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Chicken Mango Salad is in the quality and simplicity of each ingredient. These fresh elements all play a crucial role in the final flavor and texture, so choose the ripest mangoes, the crunchiest greens, and your favorite cooked chicken for the very best results.
- Cooked chicken breast: Tender and mild, it soaks up the bright flavors beautifully; shredded rotisserie or grilled chicken both work wonders.
- Ripe mangoes: Their natural sweetness is the star here—look for fruit that yields gently to a press and smells fragrant at the stem.
- Mixed greens or baby spinach: These leafy bases give your salad volume, fresh crunch, and a jolt of green goodness.
- Red bell pepper: For a splash of color and satisfying snap—slice it thin so every forkful pops with flavor.
- Avocado: Creamy, rich, and subtle, it tempers the acidity and brings a luxurious texture to every bite.
- Red onion: Just enough zip; slice it thin for sweetness rather than sharpness.
- Fresh cilantro: A sprinkle of chopped leaves wakes up the whole salad with fresh, herby notes.
- Chopped cashews or almonds (optional): For crunch, depth, and a bit of extra protein—toast them for even more flavor!
- Lime juice: The acid ties all the elements together and brightens every single flavor.
- Olive oil: Brings moisture and that classic, velvety finish to your homemade dressing.
- Honey: A little drizzle smooths out the lime’s tang and enhances the mango’s natural sweetness.
- Salt and pepper: Don’t forget these—season to taste, and everything pops!
How to Make Chicken Mango Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Ingredients
Start by giving your mangoes, bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro a quick prep. Dice the mangoes and avocado into bite-sized pieces, slice the bell pepper into thin strips, and finely chop or slice the red onion for milder flavor. Cilantro just needs a rough chop. Prepping everything first makes it easy to assemble your Chicken Mango Salad in a flash.
Step 2: Combine Salad Components
In a big, beautiful salad bowl, toss together your cooked chicken breast, diced mango, mixed greens or baby spinach, bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro. This is where the magic begins—every ingredient layered and ready to soak up that delicious dressing!
Step 3: Whisk the Lime-Honey Dressing
In a small bowl or mason jar, add your freshly squeezed lime juice, olive oil, honey, a pinch of salt, and crack of black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until everything is fully combined. This zesty-sweet dressing is what gives Chicken Mango Salad its irresistible finish.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Pour the dressing evenly over your chopped salad ingredients. Gently toss with tongs or two large spoons, making sure every piece is cloaked in that tangy, vibrant lime-honey magic. Don’t forget to be gentle with the avocado—it’s delicate!
Step 5: Add Crunch and Serve
Sprinkle chopped cashews or almonds on top for a satisfying crunch, if you like. Serve your Chicken Mango Salad immediately, or let it chill in the fridge for up to 2 hours to let the flavors meld. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
How to Serve Chicken Mango Salad
Garnishes
Finish your Chicken Mango Salad with a flourish! Add extra cilantro leaves, a few lime wedges on the side, or even a scattering of crumbled feta for creaminess. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving can really elevate the taste, too.
Side Dishes
This salad shines brightly on its own, but it plays well with others. Pair it with a crusty baguette, some sweet potato fries, or a light soup for a more substantial meal. For a picnic vibe, bundle it with a chilled glass of white wine or sparkling lemonade.
Creative Ways to Present
You can easily impress at a party by serving Chicken Mango Salad in lettuce cups, mason jars for grab-and-go lunches, or even as a topping on tostadas. Stack it high in individual bowls for a pretty, layered effect—the colors do all the work!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store Chicken Mango Salad in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. For the best results, keep the dressing separate from the salad and add it just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for Chicken Mango Salad. The fresh ingredients, particularly the greens, mango, and avocado, can become watery and limp once thawed. For maximum flavor and texture, enjoy it fresh!
Reheating
No reheating needed—this is a cold, refreshing salad! If your chicken was previously refrigerated and you prefer it warm, gently reheat the chicken on its own before assembling the salad. Add freshly diced mango and avocado just before serving to avoid any mushiness.
FAQs
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Shrimp, tofu, or even grilled salmon make delicious alternatives in Chicken Mango Salad. Just keep the protein bite-sized so it mingles well with the other ingredients.
What if I can’t find ripe mangoes?
If fresh mangoes aren’t available, use thawed frozen mango chunks. Just pat them dry with paper towels to prevent extra moisture in your Chicken Mango Salad.
Is it possible to make this salad dairy-free and nut-free?
Definitely! The core Chicken Mango Salad recipe is already dairy-free. If you need a nut-free version, simply skip the cashews or almonds, or substitute with toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch.
How can I make this salad spicier?
Add a finely chopped jalapeño or a sprinkle of red chili flakes to the mix. You can also drizzle with your favorite hot sauce or spicy vinaigrette for an extra kick in your Chicken Mango Salad.
What’s the best way to meal prep this salad?
Chop and store all the components (except avocado and dressing) in separate containers. Assemble and add the avocado and dressing just before eating for a quick, perfectly fresh Chicken Mango Salad even on busy days.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about the flavor combo in Chicken Mango Salad—you just have to taste it yourself. It’s vibrant, healthy, and endlessly adaptable. Give it a try and brighten up your table (and your day) with a serving of pure sunshine on a plate!
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Chicken Mango Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chicken Mango Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of ripe mangoes with the savory taste of chicken and creamy avocado. It’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an ideal meal for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
- 2 ripe mangos (peeled, pitted, and diced)
- 4 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped cashews or almonds (optional)
Dressing:
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced mangoes, mixed greens, red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with chopped cashews or almonds if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- You can use grilled or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Add a chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick, or crumble in some feta for extra creaminess.
- This salad also pairs well with a citrus vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
