Grilled Chicken Mango Salad

 

🥭 Grilled Chicken Mango Salad: A Fresh and Flavorful Summer Favorite

When warm weather hits, few meals are as satisfying as a big, vibrant salad — and Grilled Chicken Mango Salad is everything a summer dish should be: fresh, juicy, light, and bursting with color and flavor. It’s the kind of salad that doesn’t feel like “just a salad.” It’s a whole meal.

Combining smoky grilled chicken with sweet mango, crisp greens, and a zesty dressing, this salad is refreshing yet hearty — a go-to for lunches, picnics, or healthy weeknight dinners.

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🌞 Why You’ll Love This Salad

• Sweet + Savory Balance: Grilled chicken brings smoky, salty richness, while mango adds juicy sweetness.

• Fast & Easy: With a few fresh ingredients and a quick grill, it comes together in about 30 minutes.

• Nutritious: Packed with lean protein, fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.

• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make ahead and assemble when you’re ready to eat.

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🧺 Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced

• 1 large ripe mango, peeled and cubed

• 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine, or a mix)

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced

• ½ avocado, sliced (optional)

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• ¼ cup sliced almonds or chopped cashews (optional for crunch)

For the Marinade (for chicken):

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• ½ tsp chili powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• Salt and pepper to taste

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🔥 How to Make It

1. Marinate & Grill the Chicken

• Mix marinade ingredients and coat the chicken breasts. Let sit for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours).

• Grill over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.

2. Prep the Salad

• While the chicken cooks, prep the greens, mango, onion, tomatoes, avocado, and nuts.

3. Make the Dressing

• Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust.

4. Assemble

• In a large bowl or platter, layer greens, mango, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and chicken.

• Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

• Garnish with cilantro and nuts, if using.

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🧠 Tips for Success

• Use ripe but firm mango: Too soft and it gets mushy in the salad.

• Grill ahead of time: Chicken can be grilled the day before for easy prep.

• Cool the chicken slightly before slicing to keep juices in.

• Chill ingredients before assembling for extra-refreshing flavor.

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🥑 Variations & Add-Ons

Variation	What to Add or Swap
Spicy Kick	Add a dash of sriracha or chopped jalapeño to the dressing.
Tropical Vibes	Add pineapple chunks or swap mango for papaya.
Low-Carb	Serve over cauliflower rice instead of greens.
Vegan Version	Swap grilled chicken for grilled tofu or chickpeas.
Creamy Dressing	Blend the mango into a creamy mango-lime dressing with yogurt or avocado.

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🧊 Meal Prep & Storage

• Store components separately (greens, grilled chicken, dressing) for best texture.

• Salad lasts 2–3 days in the fridge once assembled, but mango and avocado are best eaten fresh.

• Grilled chicken keeps for up to 4 days refrigerated.

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🍴 When to Serve Grilled Chicken Mango Salad

• Lunch or light dinner on hot days

• Meal prep bowls for weekday lunches

• Picnics or BBQ sides (serve chilled or room temp)

• Brunch with iced tea or sparkling water

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Final Thoughts

Grilled Chicken Mango Salad isn’t just healthy — it’s deeply satisfying, colorful, and full of flavor. Whether you’re grilling outside or using a grill pan indoors, this salad captures the essence of summer in every bite. Sweet mango meets smoky chicken, all tied together with a lime-honey dressing that brings everything to life.

Simple to make. Stunning to serve. Delicious to devour.