This Mango Chicken Salad is made with the most tender baked and sliced chicken breasts, served over a bed of lettuce and topped with diced mango and crunchy veggies, plus a fresh honey-lemon homemade dressing. It’s the perfect easy salad for lunch or a light dinner, especially alongside crispy grissini or garlic breadsticks.

 

Mango is one of my favorite fruit flavors. It’s sweet and tropical but a little tart. It’s infamously great in both sweet and savory dishes – mango sorbet is just as good as mango salsa, ya feel me?

I came up with this recipe while I was digging into my mango spinach salad — one of my favorite easy, light side salads to pair with chicken. It got me thinking: why not turn those flavors into a full meal? And just like that, this mango chicken salad was born!

Recipe Ingredients

My chicken mango salad recipe consists of one part chicken, one part salad, and one part dressing. Everything comes together using a handful of pantry ingredients.

For the Salad

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The chicken should be cooked before you toss it with the salad. My air fryer rotisserie chicken is a great meal prep shortcut for this salad. You can also swap in cooked chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
• Romaine Lettuce: Adds crunch and a fresh, crisp texture to the salad. Iceberg lettuce or mixed greens can be used.
• Baby Spinach: I like to use a couple of cups of spinach because it contributes extra nutrients and texture.
• Mango: I use fresh mangoes, but frozen diced mangoes are totally okay. Just thaw them before adding them to the salad. You could even substitute them with pineapple chunks or peaches.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes or chopped regular tomatoes will work.
• English Cucumber: I love the refreshing crunch and mild flavor of cucumbers in salads. You can also use Persian cucumbers or regular ones, but choose those with fewer seeds.
• Red Onion: Shallots or green onions can be used instead.
• Parsley or Cilantro: Or use your favorite fresh herbs, like basil or mint.

For the Honey Lemon Dressing

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Acts as the base of the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Adds acidity, but lime juice or white wine vinegar are also okay to use.
• Honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar are great substitutes.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tanginess and helps to emulsify the dressing. Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard will work.
• Garlic: I like fresh garlic, but you can use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the dressing. Sea salt or kosher salt are great options.

How to Make Mango Chicken Salad

Making this salad with chicken and mango is a delicious way to combine fresh ingredients into a meal. Quick to assemble, simply follow these easy steps to create a refreshing and flavorful dish that will become your go-to for lunch or dinner!

• Cook the chicken. Cook a pound of chicken breasts, or grab a cooked rotisserie chicken from your nearby grocer.
• Combine the lettuce and spinach. Add chopped romaine lettuce and baby spinach to a large salad bowl.
• Add the chicken and veggies to the salad greens. Top your lettuce mixture with slices of chicken, diced mango, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and parsley or cilantro. Then, set it aside while you mix the dressing.
• Make the dressing. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Taste it for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
• Combine the dressing with the salad: Drizzle the honey lemon dressing over the salad, toss, and serve.

Serving Suggestions

This dinner salad makes a perfect lunch or a filling light dinner with a hearty loaf of slow cooker bread and a cup of cauliflower cheese soup – it’s the ideal simple meal. I’ll also mix up a big salad like this to serve at a dinner party or potluck. That sweet honey-lemon dressing is always a favorite.

More Chicken Salad Recipes

• Apples and Cheddar Chicken Salad
• Grilled Mexican Corn Chicken Salad
• Curry Chicken Salad
• Rosemary Chicken Salad with Avocado and Bacon
• Classic Chicken Salad