Chicken Salad With Honey Dressing
A refreshing and vibrant chicken salad featuring tender chicken, sweet grapes, and zesty oranges, all tossed in a luscious honey dressing. This dish is perfect for a light lunch or picnic, appealing to those who enjoy a balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
- Honey Dressing
- 3 c. cut up cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. green or red grapes
- 1/4 c. sliced green onions ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped green bell pepper
- 1 can (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained ⓘ
- 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned ⓘ
- 1/4 head lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (about 3 c.) ⓘ
- 1/4 c. slivered almonds, toasted ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare Honey Dressing.
- Toss chicken, grapes, onions, bell pepper, water chestnuts, and dressing in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until chilled.
- Toss chicken mixture with oranges and lettuce.
- Serve on lettuce leaves if desired and sprinkle with almonds.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Chicken Salad with Honey Dressing, consider adding a pinch of salt or pepper to the dressing for balance. If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken is a great substitute for cooked chicken. You can also swap out grapes for diced apples or dried cranberries for a different twist. Toasting the almonds brings out their nutty flavor, so don’t skip that step.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Salad on a bed of lettuce or in lettuce wraps for a light meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of whole grain crackers or fresh fruit for a balanced lunch. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it alongside Chicken Vegetable Soup or with a slice of crusty bread for a satisfying dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the crispness of the lettuce, consider storing the dressing separately and adding it just before serving. If the salad becomes too dry when reheating, you can mix in a little extra dressing to refresh it.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad With Honey Dressing contains roughly 288 calories, with 6g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (119% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the honey dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the honey dressing a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Give it a good shake or stir before using, as the ingredients may separate while sitting.
Is this chicken salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This Chicken Salad with Honey Dressing is perfect for meal prep. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat to prevent the lettuce from wilting. It can be portioned into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
What can I substitute for the water chestnuts?
If you don't have water chestnuts, you can use diced celery for a similar crunch or chopped jicama for a slightly sweeter flavor. Both options will add texture without drastically changing the taste of the salad.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).