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Close-up mango-lime chicken salad with grilled chicken cubes, sweet mango, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and crunchy cabbage slaw in a chili-lime vinaigrette, shot in warm natural light.

Mango-Lime Chicken Salad

Bright, zesty, and crunchy. This Mango-Lime Chicken Salad pairs juicy chicken with sweet mango, cabbage slaw, jalapeño, cilantro, and avocado, all tossed in a lime-honey vinaigrette. It takes about 30 minutes (20 with rotisserie chicken). Serve in bowls or lettuce cups for a cool, high-protein summer meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 39 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: brunch, dinner, lunch
Cuisine: Modern American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 large chicken breasts about 500–600 g, grilled or pan-seared
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt + black pepper
Salad
  • 2 cups ripe mango diced
  • 4 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix green + purple
  • 1 cup cucumber thinly sliced
  • ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 small jalapeño thin rings (seed for less heat)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 medium avocado sliced or diced
  • ⅓ cup toasted cashews or peanuts optional
Lime Vinaigrette
  • 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice + 1 tsp lime zest
  • 1½ Tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove finely grated
  • ½ tsp salt + black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook chicken. Rub breasts with oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat until cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C), 5–7 minutes per side. Rest 5 minutes, then cube.
  2. Make dressing. Whisk olive oil, lime juice, zest, honey, Dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper until glossy.
  3. Build salad. In a large bowl, add cabbage, mango, cucumber, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Toss with half the dressing.
  4. Finish. Fold in chicken and avocado. Drizzle the remaining dressing. Top with nuts. Taste and adjust lime, salt, or honey.
  5. Serve. Enjoy right away or chill 15 minutes for extra flavor.