Sweet, creamy, and a little spicy, this hot honey chicken salad is a game-changer for meal prep! It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and tastes great between a couple slices of bread, spooned onto lettuce cups, or even scooped up with crackers. Plus, it can hang out in the fridge for days for the easiest serve-and-go meal all week long!
This hot honey chicken salad recipe is one of my favorites. The sauce is like a creamy honey mustard dressing, and you'll want to eat it with a spoon!
As a Registered Dietitian, I know firsthand how helpful it can be to load up on protein at each meal, but that can be easier said than done. A delicious sauce and a few seasonings can transform ordinary chicken breast into something craveable.
I created this version without mayo, using just Greek yogurt, so it's lighter, creamier, and truly full of flavor.
Use a little leftover chicken, and it will be ready in a couple of minutes. Such an easy meal, and a great way to fill up without heating up the kitchen!
Looking for More Chicken Salads?
If you have been here for a little bit, you know how much I love my chicken salads! Here are some of my must-try's: green goddess chicken salad, southwest chicken salad, California chicken salad, pesto chicken salad, dill pickle chicken salad, and tzatziki chicken salad.
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Chicken Salad + Dressing Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breast - I often like to make a bunch of chicken in the crockpot to meal prep for the week. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken to simplify your prep.
- Green onions - Adds a nice freshness. Chives are a good swap.
- Fried onions - This adds extra crunch and a nice savory note.
- Plain Greek yogurt - Greek yogurt is creamy, tangy, and rich, similar to mayo, but with way more protein. It's an easy swap and works well with the flavor of the hot honey.
- Hot honey - The star of the show! Hot honey brings that sweet-and-spicy drama we all love, plus just enough sweetness. More brands are made with little bit of apple cider vinegar, which adds extra tanginess.
- Smoked paprika - For a smoky warmth.
- Dijon mustard - Adds a sharpness that balances the sweet honey.
- Kosher salt and black pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Salad
1. Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
2. Add chicken salad to a sandwich or use crackers to scoop. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, apart from the fried onions. Either look for a gluten-free brand, replace them with something crunchy like sliced almonds, or skip them.
- Dairy-free: Replace the Greek yogurt with vegan Greek yogurt.
- Vegetarian: Chicken salad really relies on chicken, but you can also try using canned chickpeas or cannellini beans for a satisfying bean salad.
Variations
Add more crunch: Diced celery, apple, red onion, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and/or fresh grapes are perfect additions.
Spice it up: The hot honey dressing is warm, but not over-the-top hot. Craving more heat? Go wild with red pepper flakes, add some smoky chili powder, or a few dashes of your go-to hot sauce.
Add more smokiness: Grill your chicken breast for those iconic char marks.
Change the protein: Feel free to use leftover turkey or chicken thighs instead of breasts. Or, try adding in some beans in addition to the chicken for additional protein and fiber.
Nutrition
Chicken breast is a great source of long-lasting lean protein, giving you plenty of energy and fewer cravings all day long. I also ditched the mayo for protein-rich Greek yogurt, which still adds plenty of creaminess and flavor to make the salad feel decadent and rich.
This makes it a nutritious, balanced source of protein for any meal or snack. You can truly eat it every day!
Storage
Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Fried onions lose their crunch fast, so wait to add them just before serving.
Top tip
Let it rest. The flavors will really come together as the hot honey sauce infuses with the yogurt and seasonings. I like to make it the day before for the very best flavor.
FAQ
Think of this as the protein for your meal. You can use it to make a sandwich or salad or even as a nutritious snack! I usually like to add it as a topper to a big fresh salad loaded with a ton of fresh chopped veggies. It's satisfying and cool, ideal for those warm summer months.
Chicken salad is fantastic for meal prepping, but not great for freezing. The Greek yogurt dressing and fresh herbs will be damaged by freezing and thawing, resulting in a soggy, limp salad. You can, however, freeze the uncooked chicken to use however you'd like later on! No waste, plus it's always nice to have extra cooked chicken on hand.
Yes and no. Crispy chicken is delicious, but the breading will quickly turn soggy as it sits in the creamy dressing.
If you want to make a crispy hot honey chicken salad, bake your favorite crispy chicken tenders in the air fryer, toss with your favorite sauce, and serve over a bed of greens with lots of fresh veggies. This works well with a tangy vinaigrette that will get into all the nooks and crannies. This creamy dressing may cool down the chicken too much on its own.
More Delicious Lunch Recipes
Still hungry? Find your next meal fix with these healthy lunch recipes.
Summery Side Dishes
Turn your chicken salad into a main meal with these tasty sides.
Did you try this recipe? I would love to see what you made! Tag me (@bewelltable) on Instagram and leave a 5 ⭐️ review below!
Creamy Hot Honey Chicken Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts shredded
- 3 green onions sliced
- ½ cup fried onions
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup hot honey
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Add chicken salad to a sandwich or use crackers to scoop. Enjoy!
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