Mango Bliss Chicken Salad

As the weather warms up, finding refreshing and healthy meal options becomes a priority for many. Salads, with their crisp textures and fresh flavors, rise to the forefront of seasonal dining. Today, I’m excited to share a particularly delightful recipe: Mango Bliss Chicken Salad. This dish perfectly balances sweetness from mango and a tangy honey lemon dressing with the satisfying protein of chicken. It’s an ideal meal for those looking to indulge in something deliciously nutritious.

Ingredients

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients:

• 1 pound cooked chicken breasts, sliced
• 6 cups romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried, and chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 mango, pitted, peeled, and diced
• 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 English cucumber, sliced and cut into half moons
• ⅓ cup diced red onion
• ¼ cup parsley or cilantro, finely chopped

For the Honey Lemon Dressing:

• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 to 2 tablespoons honey, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste

Directions

Creating this salad is a straightforward process:

1. Prepare the Base: Start by adding the chopped romaine lettuce and baby spinach to a large salad bowl. This mixture will form a crunchy, nutritious base for your toppings.
2. Add the Toppings: Layer the cooked chicken slices, diced mango, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and parsley or cilantro on top of the greens. The mango adds a burst of sweetness that complements the savory chicken beautifully.
3. Mix the Dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. It’s important to taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to ensure it perfectly complements the salad.
4. Dress and Serve: Drizzle your freshly prepared dressing over the salad. Gently toss everything together to ensure that each bite is infused with the delightful dressing.

Nutritional Insight

This Mango Bliss Chicken Salad isn’t just tasty—it’s also packed with nutrients. The chicken provides a high-quality source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. Mangoes are not only delicious but are rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are powerful antioxidants. Moreover, the combination of romaine lettuce and baby spinach offers fiber, iron, and additional vitamins.

Prep and Cook Time

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 6

Whether you’re hosting a summer party, preparing a meal for your family, or simply looking for a fulfilling lunch option, this Mango Bliss Chicken Salad is sure to satisfy. It’s a testament to the idea that healthy food can also be incredibly flavorful and satisfying. Enjoy your culinary creation and the vibrant flavors of summer in every forkful!