Honey Hot Chicken Salad is a bold, sweet-and-spicy dish that combines crispy or grilled chicken tossed in a sticky honey hot glaze with fresh greens, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy or tangy dressing. It’s the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and freshness—ideal for a hearty lunch or dinner.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

chicken breasts or tenders (cooked and sliced)hot sauce (like Frank’s or your favorite brand)honeybutter (for the glaze)mixed greens or romaine lettucecherry tomatoes (halved)cucumber (sliced)red onion (thinly sliced)shredded carrotsavocado (sliced)ranch or blue cheese dressingolive oilsalt and black pepper

directions

Cook the chicken by grilling, baking, or pan-searing until golden and fully cooked.

In a small pan, melt butter and whisk in hot sauce and honey until well blended. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to thicken slightly.

Toss the cooked chicken in the honey hot glaze until evenly coated.

In a large bowl or on a platter, assemble the salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, carrots, and avocado.

Top with the glazed chicken and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Serve immediately for the best combination of warm and cool textures.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 2–4 as a main dish.Preparation time: 10 minutesCooking time: 15 minutesAssembly time: 5 minutesTotal time: 30 minutes

Variations

Use fried chicken strips for a crispy texture.

Swap ranch for a yogurt-based or vinaigrette dressing for a lighter option.

Add pickled jalapeños or banana peppers for more heat.

Use coleslaw mix instead of lettuce for extra crunch.

Include crumbled bacon or shredded cheese for a richer finish.

storage/reheating

Store leftover components separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.Keep dressing and glaze separate until ready to serve.Reheat chicken gently in a skillet or microwave before adding to salad.Do not freeze.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought chicken?

Yes, rotisserie or pre-cooked grilled chicken works well—just reheat and glaze.

Is this salad spicy?

It has a kick, but you can adjust the heat by changing the amount of hot sauce.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Yes, use dairy-free butter and skip the cheese-based dressings or use a dairy-free version.

What kind of greens work best?

Romaine, spinach, or a spring mix all work well.

Can I prep this in advance?

You can prep all components ahead but glaze the chicken and assemble just before serving.

Conclusion

Honey Hot Chicken Salad is a flavorful, satisfying dish that delivers the perfect mix of sweet heat and fresh crunch. Whether you’re craving bold flavor or a hearty salad that eats like a meal, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that checks all the boxes.