Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Lime Mango Dressing

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN SALAD WITH HONEY LIME MANGO DRESSING WILL HAVE YOU ACTUALLY CRAVING SALAD! 

This Chipotle Chicken Salad is bursting with tender, juicy fiestalicious chicken, crunchy veggies, salty sunflower seeds and crispy tortilla strips all sprinkled with buttery Monterrey Jack Cheese and doused in sweet, tangy and refreshing Honey Lime Mango Dressing!

Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Lime Mango Dressing


 

Since we just indulged in Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese and Churros, I thought it was time we indulge in salad!  Its not the creamy, cheesy style indulgence but rather the texture packed, harmony of sweet, tangy and spicy style indulgence, and I call it Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Lime Mango Dressing.  This Chipotle Chicken Salad is all about the chicken and the dressing  – with plenty of crunchy filler to go along with it.  Some of you might already be a fan of my Easy All Purpose Chipotle Chicken so some of you might already be getting giddy over this Chipotle Chicken Salad.  If you haven’t tried this fiesta of flavor yet, let me make the introductions so you too can get giddy…

Chipotle Chicken Salad in a wood bowl.

How to Make Chipotle Chicken

This Chipotle Chicken is bathed in a wet rub of olive oil and a splash of lime juice mixed with the aromatic Mexican spice blend of chipotle chili powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder.

Depending on your time, you can cook the chicken right away after slathering it with the rub or wait 30 minutes or better yet, let it marinate a few hours.  I’ve included both stovetop and grill directions, so no matter your time frame or preferred cooking method, this juicy, tender, chicken will create an explosion of yum in your mouth.

Preparing chicken for Chipotle Chicken Salad.

LOOKING FOR MORE RECIPES USING CHIPOTLE CHICKEN?

The Best Dressing for Chipotle Chicken Salad

When I thought of what dressing would pair perfectly with the smoky heat of this Chipotle Chicken Salad , I instantly thought of refreshing, creamy mango.  The sweetness of the mango enhanced with honey, balanced with tangy lime swirled with canola oil creates a match made in flavor, texture heaven.  And if you are intimidated by cutting mangos – do’t be, just check out my How to Cut A Mango Post that teaches everything you could ever want to know about mangos!

Chipotle Chicken Salad pouring Honey Lime Mango Dressing over top.

Drizzle this chilled creamy refreshing Honey Lime Mango Dressing all over your chopped lettuce, fresh sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, savory black beans, crunchy cucumbers, crisp red bell peppers, tangy onions, salty sunflower seeds, creamy Monterrey Jack cheese and crispy tortilla strips…I think I got everything….and then make your mind, body and soul very, very happy bite after bite.

Close up of Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Lime Mango Dressing

Until then.  I hope you enjoyed the introduction to this Chipotle Chicken Salad.  Happy cravings.

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Top view of a full Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Lime Mango Dressing.

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Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Mango Dressing – I actually CRAVE this salad its so good! The chipotle chicken is super juicy and flavorful with just the right amount of kick and the mango dressing is so sweet, tangy and refreshing and I love the addition of Monterrey Jack Cheese and sunflower seeds! My friends always ask me to make this for them!

Chipotle Chicken Salad with Honey Mango Dressing

This Chipotle Chicken Salad will have you actually craving salad!  This Chipotle Chicken Salad is bursting with tender, juicy fiestalicious chicken, crunchy veggies, salty sunflower seeds and crispy tortilla strips all sprinkled with buttery Monterrey Jack Cheese and doused in sweet, tangy and refreshing Honey Lime Mango Dressing!
Servings: 8 servings
Total Time: 37 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes

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Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped (about 8 cups)
  • fresh corn kernels from 1 ear of sweet corn
  • 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 3/4 cup black beans,, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cucumber peeled, quartered, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 avocado, sliced or chopped
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup roasted salted sunflower seeds
  • 3/4 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
  • tortilla strips or bacon (I prefer tortilla strips)

Honey Mango Dressing

  • 1 1/4 cups chopped ripe mango (1 large mango)
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 jalapeno seeded, deveined, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Honey Mango Dressing: Add all of the ingredients to your blender except the canola oil and chop then puree until smooth. Blend in canola oil. Taste and add additional jalapeno for spicier, honey for sweeter, and/or lime juice for tangier. Chill.
  • Prepare Chipotle Chicken according to directions. Chop or thinly slice cooked chicken.
  • To assemble, toss the chicken, Salad Ingredients, cheese and sunflower seed together in a large bowl. Garnish individual servings with tortilla strips and drizzle with dressing.

Notes

*for a creamier dressing add 1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise if desired.

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36 Comments

  1. Amy @ Pressure Cook Recipes says

    Hi Jen,

    This chicken salad is my kind of salad! It looks amazing!!
    Love the aromatic Mexican spice blend you used for the chicken.
    Thanks and pinning it for later! 🙂

    Amy

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Amy for your kind comment! I hope you can try it soon and love it!

  2. Jessica says

    There’s a mango allergy in my family, do you think the dressing would work with pineapple instead?

    • Jen says

      Hi Jessica! Yes I think pineapple would be delicious but I would increase the honey by a tablespoon or so to taste as pineapple can be tangier than mango. Enjoy!

  3. Dorothy Dunton says

    Hi Jen! With all the Caramel Slice (courtesy of Nagi) I’ve been eating, this is just what I need! Chipotle is one of my favorite seasoning and we have fresh corn and tomatoes here and romaine lettuce from our garden, so I’m in business!
    That is after tomorrow because I’m making ribs and your mac n’ cheese! 🙂

    • Jen says

      caramel sauce, mmmmmm! It sounds like you have a delicious week lined up with all that caramel sauce and my ribs and mac & cheese – wahoo! SO happy that those are on the menu tomorrow! Yes, this salad will be perfect after that indulgence and how wonderful you have so many of the ingredients straight from your garden – amazing and so extra yummy!

  4. Heather Lampman says

    Sounds wonderful! I’m going to run out tomorrow to make sure I have all the ingredients!
    I could pinkie swear that I see avocado in your picture. Am I right? If I’m not, that’s fine, but I think that some avocado would be a real asset. Yummy creamy!

    • Jen says

      You are so right Heather, there is definitely avocado, I will add it to the ingredient list! sorry about that, I hope you grabbed avocado when you were out and that you enjoy this salad!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Kristi! I LOVE mango everything end even better when you can drizzle it 🙂

  5. Alaina @ A Not So Quiet Kitchen says

    This salad looks delicious but that dressing sounds like EVERYTHING!! Adding the jalapeno for a touch of spice to balance out the sweetness, perfect!! I can’t wait to try it!! 🙂

    • Jen says

      You are so nice Alaina, thank you! Doesn’t get much better than creamy mango dressing in my book! Hope you love this salad!

  6. Kristin says

    My husband and I ate this for dinner tonight, and we loved it! The salad is so pretty with all the different colors. Lots of different textures and flavors. The chicken and dressing were so flavorful. The dressing was sweet and spicy. I just loved how it all went together. Thanks for another great salad recipe!

    • Jen says

      Awesome Kristin, thank you so so much! I love how you appreciate how everything comes together – that really is the key to a winning salad – so happy it was a hit at your house!

  7. Renee says

    I made this and it is probably the best salad I’ve ever made! The chicken was so flavorful and had just enough kick. The dressing is lite and so fresh tasting. I left out the tomatoes because this is a very time consuming meal to make and I didn’t think anyone would miss them or notice, which they didn’t. I also didn’t put the seeds or cheese. Delish!!!!!!

    • Jen says

      YAY! Thank you so much for the ultimate compliment Renee! So happy you loved it so much!

  8. Chelsey says

    Hi there – could I SUV avocado oil or olive oil instead of canola? Thanks!

  9. Jo Ann says

    O M to the G!!! This was the best salad ever! The dressing is absolutely delicious! My family loved it. Thank You for the AWESOME salad recipe.

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Jo Ann! I am thrilled it was a hit with the entire family! Thank you for taking the time to comment!

  10. Lora says

    I just made this for dinner and wow, the dressing is fantastic! I don’t know how you consistently have such great recipes but I really appreciate it.

    • Jen says

      And I appreciate you taking the time to comment! I love hearing when people are enjoying my recipes – especially ones that don’t have a lot of comments! Thank you so much Lora!

  11. Joe says

    I haven’t made this yet but I definitely need to have that great wooden bowl to complete the presentation. Can you tell me where I can get one of those bowls? Thanks!

    • Jen says

      Hi Joe, the bowl is from Target – love Target! I got it a while ago so I’m not sure it will still be there. Enjoy!

  12. Megan says

    I just have to say that this salad recipe changed my entire view on salads. I have literally never actually enjoyed a salad, just tolerated eating them. This dressing with the chipotle chicken changed my entire salad perception!! I meal prep it almost every week now to take for lunch.

    • Jen says

      You totally made my day Megan, thank you! I am honored this Chipotle Chicken Salad has changed your whole view of salads! I hope you find more salads to love here!

  13. Sandra says

    I have made this salad several times now so I decided it’s time I left a comment. This is a delicious salad, and that dressing is to die for!!! I could drink it!

    • Jen says

      Thank you for your awesome comment Sandra, I’m thrilled this salad is a repeat favorite!

  14. Maria says

    Greetings from Down Under in Melbourne, Australia
    Its mango season here so I decided to make this recipe and it was absolutely delicious! The dressing is amazing and it last for days in the fridge. Thank you so much. I’ll be definitely be making this again before summer ends ☀️

    • Jen says

      I LOVE mango season! I’m so pleased this salad was a winner and will be on repeat, thanks Maria!

  15. Jean says

    I made this salad exactly to your recipe (except oops, I didn’t have cucumber so I subbed some sliced celery). I set it out for lunch for our house guests as a salad bar. I think everybody took some of everything. It was fantastic! We all loved the flavorful chicken and the mango dressing. Thank you so much for this fantastic recipe!

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome Jean, I’m so pleased it was a hit! What a fun idea to make a salad bar for your guests!

  16. Suzi Bryan says

    I just have one question. I am making this for a father’s day dinner this weekend. I have already got the spice on the chicken marinating in the fridge. I will cook the chicken ahead. Question is should I heat up the chicken before putting it in the salad or is it alright cold?

    • Jen says

      Hi Suzi, it is fine cold but I would go with warm temperature. Just leave it out while you finish prepping to take the chill of. Hope that helps!

  17. Wendy Cromie says

    Oh my, husband and I made this together for our Friday nite date nite recipe and we are now adding it to our favorites list! Loved all of it. Skipped the onion and jalapeño added the mayo to
    The dressing and it was, perfect for us. Thank you for sharing your recipe!what a talent you have for creating fabulous recipes!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, Wendy, I am so happy to hear this is a new date night favorite! Thank you for your glowing review!