Can I make this salad less spicy but still flavorful?

Absolutely! Adjust the ratio to favor more honey garlic sauce and less buffalo sauce. You can even omit the buffalo sauce entirely and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the honey garlic sauce for tanginess without the heat. The important thing is creating a chicken coating that excites your taste buds.

What's the best way to cook chicken for this recipe?

For maximum convenience and flavor, season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then either bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or poach in simmering water for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let cool slightly before dicing. Alternatively, a rotisserie chicken provides excellent flavor and saves significant time.

Can I make this a meal prep option for the week?

Yes, but proper storage is key. Prepare and store all components separately: cooked chicken (without sauce), chopped vegetables, cleaned lettuce, and portioned dressing. Each morning or evening, combine chicken with sauce, warm slightly, and assemble your salad. This approach gives you fresh-tasting salads all week without soggy lettuce or mushy vegetables.

How can I make this salad more filling without adding many more calories?

Great question! Add fiber-rich ingredients like chickpeas, black beans, or a quarter cup of cooked quinoa to increase satiety. For healthy fats that keep hunger at bay longer, include a quarter of a diced avocado or a tablespoon of sunflower seeds. These additions complement the flavors while boosting nutritional value.

Honey Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

Name: Honey Hot Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
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)

Description

A flavorful and spicy salad that’s loaded with tender honey hot chicken, crunchy veggies, and the perfect touch of ranch dressing. It’s quick, easy, and ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Whether you prefer it mild or with a kick of heat, this salad is customizable to suit your taste buds.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chicken:

2 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced
1/4 cup Honey Garlic Sauce
1/4 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce or plain hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot)

For the Salad:

2 heads Romaine Lettuce, chopped and washed
3–6 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing or any dressing of choice
1/2 medium Red Onion, diced
1 large Red Bell Pepper, diced
1/2 large Cucumber, diced
Cheese, shredded (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken
In a small bowl, add the cooked and diced chicken along with the honey garlic sauce and buffalo wing sauce. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated in the sauces.
Prepare the Salad Base
In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce with your choice of dressing. Toss until the lettuce is evenly coated.
Assemble the Salad
Transfer the dressed romaine lettuce to two large plates or bowls. Top each plate with the diced red onions, bell peppers, cucumber, shredded cheese (if using), and the prepared honey hot chicken.
Serve
Serve the salad immediately and enjoy fresh!

Notes

Homemade honey garlic sauce and buffalo wing sauce enhance the flavor of this dish and are highly recommended.
Any type of chicken can be used: chicken tenders, thighs, shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, or even whole roasted chicken.
Make it vegan by replacing the chicken with crispy tofu, using a creamy vegan dressing, and omitting the cheese.
Transform this salad into a fun sandwich by using a tortilla wrap or a toasted hoagie roll as filling!
Adjust the spiciness to your liking: use hotter hot sauce for more heat or skip the hot sauce altogether for a mild version.
To prepare this salad ahead, store all the components separately and assemble them just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
If you’re not a fan of honey garlic sauce, swap it for some homemade teriyaki sauce for a delicious twist.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 310kcal
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 730mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 55mg