A Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad You Have to Try

If you love that irresistible sweet-with-heat flavor combination, then you are in for a serious treat. We’re taking the familiar comfort of a creamy chicken salad and giving it a vibrant, modern twist with one of the trendiest flavors around – hot honey. This isn’t your grandmother’s chicken salad; it’s a bold, exciting dish that’s buzzing with flavor.

This recipe is all about a beautiful balance of contrasts. We’ll be folding tender shredded chicken and crunchy celery into a creamy dressing that’s infused with the floral sweetness of honey and a sneaky, creeping heat from a good kick of chili.

Toasted pecans add a nutty crunch and feta cheese brings a salty, briny counterpoint that ties everything together. It’s a flavor profile that is completely unique and totally addictive.

Perfect for a next-level sandwich or a show-stopping lunch, this hot honey chicken salad is a fantastic way to shake up your routine. Let’s get mixing!

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here’s a quick look at how easily this sweet and spicy salad comes together.

Ingredients

This modern chicken salad gets its incredible flavor from a few key sweet, spicy, and savory ingredients.

• Shredded Cooked Chicken – A store-bought rotisserie chicken is perfect here, providing a mix of moist white and dark meat. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken.
  • 2-3 servings: 2 cups
  • 4-6 servings: 4 cups
• Celery: 2 ribs, finely chopped for a fresh, watery crunch.
• Scallions (Green Onions): 3-4, thinly sliced.
• Toasted Pecans: ½ cup, coarsely chopped. Toasting them brings out their nutty flavor.
• Feta Cheese: 4 oz (about 1 cup), crumbled. Its saltiness is a perfect counterpoint to the sweet honey.

For the Hot Honey Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: ¾ cup. Use a good quality, creamy mayonnaise.
• Honey: ¼ cup.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tbsp, to add a bright, tangy note.
• Sriracha or Your Favorite Hot Sauce: 1-2 tbsp. This provides the “hot” in the hot honey.
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tbsp.
• Onion Powder: ½ tsp.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.

The Flavor Architects A Look at the Seasonings

• Honey: This is the heart of the dressing, providing a floral, lingering sweetness that forms the base of the flavor profile.
• Sriracha: Brings a bright, garlicky, and vinegary heat that cuts through the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the mayonnaise.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a crucial acidic tang that brightens all the flavors and prevents the dressing from being overly sweet or heavy.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces a sharp, tangy, and complex flavor that adds another layer of depth and balances the sweetness.
• Feta Cheese: Provides a briny, salty punch that acts as the perfect savory counterpoint to the sweet and spicy dressing.

Essential Tools

This is a simple mix-and-serve recipe that requires no special equipment.

• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula or large spoon
• Whisk
• Sharp knife and cutting board

Cooking Instructions

This exciting chicken salad is a simple, no-cook assembly that comes together in just a few easy steps.

Step 1: Create the Sweet & Spicy Dressing

The first step is to build the vibrant dressing that will coat every ingredient. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, and Dijon mustard.

Add the onion powder and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk all of these ingredients together vigorously until the dressing is completely smooth, creamy, and uniform in color.

This is the perfect moment to taste and adjust the flavors. If you want more heat, add another teaspoon of sriracha. For more sweetness, add another drizzle of honey.

Step 2: Combine the Salad Ingredients

Once your hot honey dressing is tasting perfect, it’s time to build the salad. Add the shredded chicken, finely chopped celery, and thinly sliced scallions to the bowl with the dressing.

Use a large spatula to gently fold all of the ingredients together. Continue mixing until every piece of chicken and vegetable is evenly and thoroughly coated in the delicious, creamy dressing.

Step 3: Fold in the Final Textures

To complete the salad, gently fold in the toasted pecans and the crumbled feta cheese. You want to add these near the end of the mixing process so that the pecans stay crunchy and the feta crumbles don’t completely break down into the dressing.

This ensures you get those wonderful pops of nutty texture and salty flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

While you can serve the chicken salad immediately, the flavors will benefit from a little time to get to know each other. For the best result, cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

This allows the chicken to absorb the sweet and spicy flavors of the dressing, creating a more cohesive and delicious final product. Before serving, give it one final stir and adjust for salt and pepper if needed.

Recipe Variations

This modern chicken salad is a great template for your own flavorful ideas.

• Different Nuts: Toasted slivered almonds or chopped walnuts would be a fantastic substitute for the pecans.
• Fruity Add-ins: For an extra layer of sweetness and a chewy texture, try adding ½ cup of dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots.
• Cheese Swaps: If you’re not a fan of feta, the salty bite of crumbled goat cheese or the sharp flavor of finely shredded white cheddar would also be delicious.

Serving Suggestions

This hot honey chicken salad is so flavorful it can be the star of any meal.

• On a Croissant: Serve a generous scoop on a buttery, flaky croissant for a truly decadent and classic sandwich.
• With Crackers: Serve it as a dip with a variety of sturdy crackers, apple slices, and celery sticks for a fantastic appetizer or light lunch.
• In Lettuce Wraps: For a fresh, low-carb option, spoon the salad into crisp butter lettuce or romaine hearts.
• Atop a Green Salad: Place a scoop over a bed of fresh arugula or mixed greens, drizzled with a light vinaigrette, for a hearty and satisfying salad.

Storage & Reheating Tips

This salad is a perfect make-ahead dish for easy meals throughout the week.

• Storage: Store the hot honey chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: This salad is designed to be eaten cold. Do not reheat it.
• Flavor Note: The flavors will meld and become even more pronounced overnight. If the salad seems a little dry the next day, you can stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise to freshen it up.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

FAQs

Can I use a specific “hot honey” product?

Yes, absolutely! If you have a favorite brand of pre-made hot honey, you can use that.

Simply replace both the honey and the sriracha in the recipe with about ⅓ cup of your hot honey, and then adjust to your taste.

What is the best chicken to use for this salad?

A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the easiest and often most flavorful option. It provides a mix of tender white and dark meat.

Alternatively, you can poach 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, let them cool, and shred them.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

This salad is perfect for making ahead. The flavors actually get better as it sits. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance.

If you want to ensure the pecans stay extra crunchy, you can wait to stir them in until just before serving.

Enjoy This Sweet and Spicy Delight!

You are now ready to make a hot honey chicken salad that is truly special. It’s a modern, exciting take on a classic that is perfect for any occasion, from a quick weekday lunch to a fancy brunch.

I hope you love the incredible combination of sweet, spicy, salty, and crunchy in every bite!