Main Dishes

Honey Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

ByAmy Serrano November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

Introduction

This Honey Hot Chicken Salad is a flavorful mix of sweet and spicy that brightens up any meal. With tender chicken tossed in honey garlic and buffalo wing sauce, paired with fresh vegetables and crisp romaine, it’s a satisfying and easy salad perfect for lunch or dinner.

A white square plate holds a colorful layered salad on a white marbled surface with a grey and white striped cloth and two wooden spoons nearby. The bottom layer is chopped light green lettuce with shredded yellow cheese scattered throughout. Above this are diced red bell peppers, diced cucumber with green skin, and finely chopped white onions, spread evenly. The top layer is made of small chunks of glistening, reddish-brown cooked chicken pieces. The mix of colors and textures creates a fresh and vibrant look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the cooked and diced chicken with honey garlic sauce and buffalo wing sauce. Toss well to coat all the chicken evenly.
Step 2: In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with your choice of dressing until lightly coated.
Step 3: Divide the dressed lettuce between two large plates or bowls.
Step 4: Top the salad with diced red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, and shredded cheese if using.
Step 5: Finally, add the honey hot chicken on top and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, add toasted nuts or seeds like pecans or sunflower seeds.
Substitute grilled chicken for leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.
Use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch for a tangier twist.
Add sliced avocado for creaminess and extra nutrition.

Storage

Store any leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the chicken and salad greens apart to prevent sogginess. Reheat the chicken gently before adding back to the salad if desired, but the salad is best eaten fresh.

How to Serve

A white rectangular plate rests on a white marbled surface, holding a layered salad. The bottom layer is made of green chopped romaine lettuce, spread evenly over the plate. On top of that is a colorful mix of diced red bell pepper, cucumber, and finely chopped white onion, scattered to cover the lettuce. Small pieces of orange shredded cheddar cheese are also spread among the vegetables. The top layer consists of bite-sized chunks of cooked chicken coated in a glossy, dark orange sauce, arranged mostly in the center, creating a vibrant contrast against the greens and reds beneath. Next to the plate, two wooden spoons and a gray and white striped towel add a homey touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use raw chicken for this salad?

No, the chicken should be fully cooked and cooled before dicing and adding to the salad to ensure food safety.

What can I substitute for buffalo wing sauce?

If you prefer less heat, use a mild hot sauce or even a BBQ sauce for a sweeter flavor profile.

Honey Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 64 reviews

Honey Hot Chicken Salad combines tender cooked chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy honey garlic and buffalo wing sauce, served atop fresh romaine lettuce and crisp vegetables. This quick and flavorful salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, offering a satisfying balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

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)

Salad Base

2 heads Romaine Lettuce (chopped and washed)
3–6 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing (or any dressing of choice)

Vegetables and Toppings

½ medium Red Onion (diced)
1 large Red Bell Pepper (diced)
½ large Cucumber (diced)
Cheese (shredded, optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the cooked and diced chicken breasts with the honey garlic sauce and buffalo wing sauce. Toss well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the sauce mixture.
Toss the Lettuce: In a large bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce and drizzle with 3 to 6 tablespoons of your preferred dressing, typically ranch. Toss the lettuce gently until it is evenly coated with the dressing.
Assemble the Salad: Divide the dressed romaine lettuce between two large plates or bowls. Top each with the diced red onions, diced red bell peppers, diced cucumber, and shredded cheese if using. Finally, add the honey hot chicken on top. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh and bold flavors.

Notes

For a spicier salad, increase the amount of buffalo wing sauce or add extra hot sauce to taste.
You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
Ranch dressing can be swapped with blue cheese or a vinaigrette depending on your preference.
Adding avocado or sliced jalapeños can add extra creaminess or heat.
This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.

Keywords: honey hot chicken salad, buffalo chicken salad, spicy chicken salad, honey garlic chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe, quick salad

Amy Serrano

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