Introduction

Remember those summer afternoons, the kind where the sun felt like a warm hug and you just wanted something fresh, vibrant, and utterly delicious to nibble on? This Mango Chicken Salad is exactly that feeling captured in a bowl. It’s a recipe that feels like sunshine, bursting with flavor and so incredibly simple to throw together. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a stunning lunch to pack, or a dish to impress guests, this salad is your new best friend.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, you’ll be enjoying this masterpiece in under 20 minutes.
Easy: No fancy techniques required. If you can chop and toss, you can make this salad.
Giftable: Pack it up in individual containers for amazing take-along lunches that beat anything from the deli.
Crowd-pleasing: The sweet mango, savory chicken, and crunchy peanuts are a flavor combination everyone raves about.

Ingredients

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce: The crisp, refreshing base for our salad.
2 cups shredded red cabbage or coleslaw mix: Adds a beautiful color and a satisfying crunch.
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced: For a pop of sweetness and vibrant color.
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken: Rotisserie chicken is your secret weapon for speed here!
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and sliced: The star of the show! Look for one that’s ripe but still holds its shape.
½ English cucumber, sliced: Cool, crisp, and refreshing.
½ cup Asian sesame dressing: This dressing is magic, bringing all the flavors together with a delightful nutty, tangy kick.
2 green onions, thinly sliced: For a subtle oniony bite and a touch of freshness.
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or mint, or both: These herbs bring an incredible brightness that just elevates everything.
¼ cup dry roasted peanuts, crushed: For that irresistible crunch factor!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this sunshine party started! It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it a million times already.

In a large bowl, pile in your chopped romaine lettuce, shredded red cabbage (or that handy coleslaw mix!), and those beautiful thin slices of red bell pepper. Think of this as building your delicious foundation.
Next, toss in your pre-cooked, chopped chicken, those sweet, juicy mango slices, and the crisp cucumber. See? It’s already looking amazing!
Now for the magic! Pour that gorgeous Asian sesame dressing all over everything. Don’t be shy – it’s what ties all these wonderful ingredients together.
Scatter the thinly sliced green onions and your chopped fresh cilantro or mint (or hey, why not both? I often do!). These herbs are like little flavor bombs.
Finally, sprinkle those crushed dry roasted peanuts over the very top. This is for the ultimate crunch and a nutty finish.
Give it all a gentle toss. You want everything coated in that delicious dressing without mushing up those lovely mango pieces.
Serve it up immediately and get ready for happy sighs. This salad is best enjoyed fresh and vibrant!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your own creativity! Here are a few ideas to make it even more you:

Chicken: Leftover grilled chicken, turkey, or even some firm tofu would work beautifully.
Mango: If mangoes are out of season or just not your jam, you could try diced pineapple or even some juicy peaches.
Crunch: Swap the peanuts for slivered almonds, cashews, or even some toasted sunflower seeds for a different nutty flavor and crunch.
Veggies: Feel free to add some shredded carrots, edamame, or some thinly sliced radishes for an extra pop of color and crunch.
Dressing: If you don’t have Asian sesame dressing on hand, a ginger-sesame vinaigrette or even a light peanut dressing could be delicious alternatives. Just make sure it has a good balance of sweet and tangy!

Tips for Success

We all have those days where things go a little sideways in the kitchen, but with this salad, it’s pretty foolproof. Still, here are a few little nuggets of wisdom from my kitchen to yours:

Don’t Overdress: Start with the recommended amount of dressing and toss. You can always add a little more if you feel it needs it, but you can’t take it away!
Prep Ahead Power: Chop your veggies, cook your chicken (if not using rotisserie), and even crush your peanuts a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to eat, just assemble and toss!
Mango Magic: When picking a mango, give it a gentle squeeze. It should yield slightly to pressure, like a ripe avocado. If it’s too hard, it might be a bit tart; too soft, and it might get mushy in the salad.
Gentle Toss: Be kind to your ingredients! A gentle toss ensures everything is coated without bruising the delicate components.

How to Store It

While this salad is truly at its best right after it’s tossed, life happens! Here’s how to store any leftovers:

If you’ve already dressed the salad, it’s best to enjoy it within 1-2 days. The lettuce will start to wilt a bit, but the flavors will still be delightful.
For the best results if you plan on having leftovers, store the undressed salad components (lettuce, cabbage, veggies, chicken, mango) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the dressing and peanuts separate and add them just before serving. This way, your salad stays crisp and fresh for up to 3 days.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A: Yes! It’s best to prep all your ingredients and store them separately in the fridge, then toss with the dressing and peanuts right before serving to keep everything crisp.

Q: What kind of chicken should I use?
A: Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for this recipe, making it super quick! However, any cooked and chopped chicken, like leftover baked or grilled chicken, works perfectly too.

Q: Can I add nuts other than peanuts?
A: Absolutely! Almonds, cashews, or even some crunchy seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds would be delicious substitutions.

Mango Chicken Salad

A fresh, vibrant, and simple chicken salad recipe bursting with flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Large bowl
Airtight containers For storing prepped ingredients or leftovers

Ingredients

Main ingredients

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce The crisp, refreshing base for our salad.
2 cups shredded red cabbage or coleslaw mix Adds a beautiful color and a satisfying crunch.
1 red bell pepper Thinly sliced, for a pop of sweetness and vibrant color.
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken Rotisserie chicken is your secret weapon for speed here!
1 mango Peeled, pitted, and sliced. The star of the show! Look for one that's ripe but still holds its shape.
0.5 English cucumber Sliced, cool, crisp, and refreshing.
0.5 cup Asian sesame dressing This dressing is magic, bringing all the flavors together with a delightful nutty, tangy kick.
2 green onions Thinly sliced, for a subtle oniony bite and a touch of freshness.
0.25 cup fresh cilantro or mint, or both These herbs bring an incredible brightness that just elevates everything.
0.25 cup dry roasted peanuts Crushed, for that irresistible crunch factor!

Instructions

In a large bowl, pile in your chopped romaine lettuce, shredded red cabbage (or that handy coleslaw mix!), and those beautiful thin slices of red bell pepper. Think of this as building your delicious foundation.
Next, toss in your pre-cooked, chopped chicken, those sweet, juicy mango slices, and the crisp cucumber. See? It’s already looking amazing!
Now for the magic! Pour that gorgeous Asian sesame dressing all over everything. Don't be shy – it's what ties all these wonderful ingredients together.
Scatter the thinly sliced green onions and your chopped fresh cilantro or mint (or hey, why not both? I often do!). These herbs are like little flavor bombs.
Finally, sprinkle those crushed dry roasted peanuts over the very top. This is for the ultimate crunch and a nutty finish.
Give it all a gentle toss. You want everything coated in that delicious dressing without mushing up those lovely mango pieces.
Serve it up immediately and get ready for happy sighs. This salad is best enjoyed fresh and vibrant!

Notes

This salad is best enjoyed fresh. For storing leftovers, keep undressed components separate from dressing and peanuts for up to 3 days. If dressed, consume within 1-2 days.