Chicken isn't among our go-to meat choices as we mostly prefer beef and pork. However, when we do cook chicken, we want to make sure the dish ticks all the boxes, and this Hot Honey Chicken Salad with Spinach does the trick perfectly. The combination of spicy-sweet hot honey and perfectly seared chicken breast over fresh spinach creates a meal that's both satisfying and nutritious. Whether you're meal-prepping for the entire week or just need a quick dinner option, this crispy hot honey chicken salad delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.
Key Highlights
- Ready in just 15-20 minutes from start to finish - perfect for busy weeknights
- Meal prep friendly - components can be stored in separate containers for easy lunches
- Customizable heat level - adjust the hot honey sauce to your preference
- Balanced nutrition - protein-packed chicken, healthy fats from avocado, and a ton of fresh chopped veggies
- Perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors with a fantastic texture contrast
- Great way to use leftover honey chicken (which is highly unlikely, though :))
Ingredients
Chicken breast: The star protein that gets golden brown and juicy when properly seared. You can substitute chicken thighs for a more tender, flavorful option.
Honey: Creates the sweet base for the hot honey sauce. Use local honey, if possible, for the best flavor and to support those hardworking honeybees.
Chili garlic sauce: Adds the perfect kick of heat and depth of flavor to the honey. If you can't find it, substitute with sweet chili sauce or sriracha plus a minced garlic clove.
Spinach: Forms the nutrient-rich base of the salad. Fresh baby spinach works best for its tender texture and mild flavor. This salad is a great way to use the first spinach from the garden!
Cucumber: Provides refreshing crunch and hydration. While the salad might look more contrasty and interesting with the cucumbers left unpeeled, we always peel them unless they are home-grown.
Red onion: Adds a sharp, pungent flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey. Slice them very thin to prevent overpowering the salad.
Purple carrot: Brings beautiful color contrast and sweet earthiness. Orange carrots can also be used if purple ones aren't available.
Avocado: Adds a creamy element that perfectly balances the spicy chicken. Choose ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure.
Olive oil: Used for both cooking the chicken and dressing the salad. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavor.
Dijon mustard: Adds tanginess and helps emulsify the dressing. English mustard can be substituted for extra texture.
Garlic powder: Infuses the chicken with savory depth. Fresh minced garlic works too if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Salt and ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dish.
Directions
1. In a small mixing bowl, combine honey, chili garlic sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and ground black pepper. We also added 1 tablespoon of water to make the sauce runnier. Whisk until well combined.
2. In a shallow dish, coat the chicken with half of the hot honey sauce mixture. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes. Leave the other half of the sauce for the salad dressing.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken to a cutting board and let rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
4. In a large bowl, add fresh spinach, thinly sliced red onion, avocado, cucumber, and shredded carrot.
5. Drizzle the remaining hot honey sauce over the salad and toss to combine.
Top with sliced hot honey chicken, sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional), and serve immediately.
Expert & Serving Tips
This hot honey chicken salad makes for an impressive yet easy meal for lunch or dinner. For a more substantial meal, serve with a cup of quinoa or some crusty bread on the side to soak up all that delicious hot honey sauce!
If you're enjoying this recipe, you might also want to try some of my other popular chicken dishes like our Chicken Julienne with creamy sauce, Gluten-Free Chicken Meatballs that even wheat lovers adore, or our Stuffed Chicken with Lemon and Cilantro that's perfect for larger family gatherings.
For meal prep, store the cooked chicken, prepared vegetables, and dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will stay fresh for 3-4 days, allowing you to quickly assemble a fresh salad in just a few minutes on busy weekdays. Slice the avocado right before serving.
When choosing thicker chicken breasts, place them between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound them to an even thickness (about ½ inch) for faster, more even cooking. Alternatively, slice them horizontally in half to make the pieces thinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
The spice level is moderate but easily customizable. The honey balances the heat from the chili garlic sauce, creating a pleasant sweet-heat combo. For extra heat, add more chili garlic sauce or sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes directly onto your salad or the sauce.
Absolutely! Air fryer hot honey chicken turns out incredibly crispy. After marinating, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 380°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F; if not, cut and check the meat before serving.
This is a perfect meal prep recipe! Cook the chicken and slice it, prepare all the vegetables, and mix the sauce. Store everything in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, warm the chicken slightly if desired, and assemble your salad with fresh spinach and avocado. This way, the components stay fresh for the next day or even the entire week.
Yes! While spinach provides excellent nutrition and a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the hot honey chicken, you can substitute it with a big pile of fresh romaine lettuce, arugula, or mixed greens, depending on your preference. Each will bring a different texture and flavor profile to the dish.
Easy Hot Honey Chicken Salad Recipe With Spinach
Ingredients
- 3-4 small chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 2.5 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- fresh spinach
- ½ red onion
- 1 avocado
- 1 medium/large cucumber
- 1 purple carrot (or regular orange)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine honey, chili garlic sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt and ground black pepper. We also added 1 tablespoon of water to make the sauce more runny. Whisk until well combined.
- Coat the chicken with half of the hot honey sauce mixture. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes. Leave the other half of the sauce for the salad dressing.
- Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken to a cutting board and let rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
- In a large bowl, add fresh spinach, thinly sliced red onion, avocado, cucumber and shredded carrot.
- Drizzle the remaining hot honey sauce over the salad and toss to combine.
- Top with sliced hot honey chicken, sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional), and serve immediately.
Notes
- For meal prep, store the cooked chicken, prepared vegetables, and dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will stay good for 3-4 days, and you can quickly assemble a fresh salad in just a few minutes on busy weekdays. Slice the avocado right before serving.
- When choosing thicker chicken breasts, place them between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound to even thickness (about ½ inch) for faster, more even cooking, or slice them horizontally in half to make the pieces less thick.
- Use your favorite greens instead of spinach, if you prefer. Fresh romaine lettuce, arugula, or mixed greens are great choices for this salad.
This hot honey chicken salad has quickly become one of our favorite salad recipes, perfect for both everyday meals and entertaining friends. Kids LOVE honey chicken, and this salad offers a way to incorporate it into a whole new dish. The combination of crispy, spicy-sweet chicken with fresh vegetables creates a perfect balance that never feels like you're eating "just a salad." The best part? It's versatile enough to customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Let us know in the comments what's your favorite way to use any leftover honey chicken!
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