Creamy Mango Chicken Salad

This mango chicken salad is the perfect lunch that is both refreshing and satisfying! Bursting with juicy mango chunks and a creamy Asian-inspired dressing, this salad is a perfect explosion of summery flavors. It's the ideal balance of sweet and savory, making it a delicious and wholesome option for meal prep or a quick, 20-minute lunch. The best part? It's incredibly easy to throw together, requiring minimal ingredients and prep time. Plus, it's packed with vibrant veggies and is family-friendly! If you love chicken salad, be sure to also try my blueberry hazelnut chicken salad and hummus chicken salad!

I thought up this recipe while I was eating my Asian Chicken Salad Jars for lunch. They are made using this same delicious homemade dressing. As I was getting to the bottom of the salad (I put the dressing on the bottom for the jar salads and then shake it up but some dressing usually gets stuck at the bottom), I was like "WOW this is so delicious when it is drenched in dressing. I should make a chicken salad out of this". I quickly got to work and this creamy mango chicken salad was born. I am always trying to create new chicken salads that don't use dairy or eggs and this one is absolute perfection. Try it yourself and let me know what you think!

Why You'll Love This Chicken Salad

It is packed with flavor!

This mango chicken salad is bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables.

It is so easy to whip up!

If you use rotisserie chicken you can make it in about 20 minutes!

The homemade dressing adds a delicious touch.

This recipe is perfect for lunch meal prep.

This chicken salad is so versatile and can be served with crackers, on a sandwich, lettuce cups or wrap!

Equipment Needed

All you need to make this mango chicken salad is a bowl, knife, cutting board, blender, grater, measuring cups and spoons and 2 forks to shred the rotisserie chicken.

Ingredients Needed

Chicken: I used a rotisserie chicken in this recipe to make it super quick but you can also cook chicken breasts!

Red Onion: Red onion brings a bit of sharpness and bite to the salad. This cuts through the sweetness of the mango and the creaminess of the dressing, creating a more balanced and interesting flavor profile.

Mango: Mango provides a delicious burst of juicy flavor in this chicken salad!

Carrot: Shredded carrots add a delightful crunch that complements the soft chicken and juicy mango. You can shred the carrots yourself or purchased pre-shredded carrots.

Cucumber: Cucumber's cool and crisp texture adds a refreshing element to the salad, especially when paired with the sweetness of the mango and creaminess of the dressing.

Green Onions or Chives: This adds a burst of freshness to the dish!

Olive Oil: The olive oil makes up the base of this delicious Asian-inspired dressing.

Lemon: Lemon adds brightness to this creamy dressing.

Coconut Milk: Coconut milk helps to make this dressing super creamy.

Almond Butter: It acts as a thickener, replacing ingredients like mayonnaise or eggs in vegan or dairy-free dressings. This creates a rich and luxurious mouthfeel.

Coconut Aminos: Coconut aminos add delicious flavor to this dish!

Ginger: Ginger has a unique flavor profile that's both slightly spicy and warm. It adds depth and complexity to the dressing.

Garlic: Garlic adds savory depth to this dressing!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

Step 2: Make the dressing by combining all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Step 3: Chop the vegetables and fruit and grate the carrots into shreds.

Step 4: Shred the chicken.

Step 5: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and pour the dressing over it. Mix and enjoy!

Storage

Store this mango chicken salad in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container.

How to Shred Rotisserie Chicken

Shredding a rotisserie chicken is even easier than shredding regular chicken because the meat is already cooked and practically falls off the bone.

Here are two popular methods:

Hands-On Shredding (Quick and Simple):

This method is perfect for small batches and offers the most control over the size of the shredded chicken.

Let the rotisserie chicken cool slightly, but it should still be warm for easier shredding. Place the chicken on a cutting board and discard any string trussing. Gently twist and pull the legs and wings to remove them from their sockets. Using your fingers, pull the breast meat away from the bone in large strips. You can also use a knife to carefully cut alongside the breastbone to loosen the meat. Repeat with the thighs and drumsticks, removing the meat from the bone and discarding the skin if desired. Shred the chicken pieces in the bowl to your desired consistency, using your fingers or two forks to pull them apart.

Zip-Top Bag Method (Fast and Mess-Free):

This method is ideal for larger batches and minimizes mess.

Let the rotisserie chicken cool slightly, but it should still be warm for easier shredding. Discard any string trussing and remove the skin if desired. Place the entire chicken (or large pieces) in a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Seal the bag, leaving a small amount of air to vent. Using your hands on the outside of the bag, gently massage and squeeze the chicken to shred the meat. The bones will help separate the meat as you massage. Continue for about a minute or until the chicken is shredded to your desired consistency. Carefully open the bag and remove the bones. You now have shredded chicken ready to use!

How to Serve

Chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preference and the occasion. Here are some popular options:

Classic Sandwiches:

This is the most common way to enjoy chicken salad. Spread it on your favorite bread!

Wraps and Pitas:

Fill it with chicken salad, lettuce, tomato, cheese (vegan if needed) and any other toppings you like. Wraps are perfect for grab-and-go lunches or picnics.

Lettuce Cups:

For a lighter option, ditch the bread altogether and serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce leaves. This is a great low-carb alternative that's perfect for lunch!

Salad Bar Topping:

Elevate your salad by adding a scoop of chicken salad as a protein topping. It pairs well with mixed greens, chopped vegetables, fruits like grapes or cranberries and a vinaigrette dressing.

Appetizer Platter:

Serve bite-sized portions of chicken salad on crackers, cucumber slices or endive leaves. This is a delightful finger food for parties or gatherings.

Stuffed Vegetables:

Hollowed-out tomatoes, avocados or bell peppers can be filled with chicken salad for a unique and visually appealing presentation. This is a fun way to enjoy chicken salad.

Meal Prep:

Chicken salad is perfect for meal prep. Portion it out into containers with your choice of bread, crackers, lettuce cups or vegetables for a quick and easy grab-and-go lunch throughout the week.

Variations

Chicken: Use a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe quick or cook and shred your own chicken breasts.

Dressing: Make my homemade dressing or feel free to purchase your own Asian-inspired dressing to make this recipe even quicker!

Produce: Mix up the fruits and vegetables in this recipe! Try adding

Garnish: Feel free to garnish this chicken salad with fresh herbs!

Recipe FAQ

How do you serve this salad?

I love serving this chicken salad on sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups or with crackers!

Do you have to use rotisserie chicken?

No! Feel free to cook your own chicken breasts instead of using rotisserie chicken. Using rotisserie chicken is a shortcut though!

Can chicken salad be frozen? 

I would not recommend freezing this chicken salad.

Can I use canned mango?

Fresh or even frozen mango would work best in this recipe!

Is this chicken salad dairy free?

Yes!

Is this chicken salad egg free?

Yes! Since I used creamy dressing instead of mayo, this dish is egg free.

Related Recipes

Be sure to try these delicious meal prep ideas next:

Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep

Chia Parfait

Turkey Bacon Breakfast Sandwiches

Hummus without Tahini

Breakfast Burrito Bowls

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