Homemade Sweetgreen Hot Honey Chicken Salad
Recently, my friend took me to the Sweetgreen healthy fast-food chain after a strenuous hike. To be honest, I wasn’t psyched to try the food. For one thing, having the word "green" in the restaurant name immediately turns me off. Yes, I try to eat healthy, but I’m still warming up to salads. They’re simply not my favorite! My friend ordered a dish with lots of kale as the base, and it sent a shiver down my spine. No kale for me (yet). I begged for a delicious option, so she recommended the Honey Chicken protein bowl. I was completely blown away by it. It's warm, loaded with protein, and the flavor is complex with sweetness and a little kick of spice. Even my second worst enemy quinoa tasted so flavorfully. I went back for the same dish later that week, and I decided to make my own version to see how it compares.
For this version, I was lazy and used Costco rotisserie chicken instead. For better nutritional value, I recommend seasoning and cooking chicken breasts instead.
Hot Honey Sauce
Ingredients
- a few big spoonfuls of honey
- a good squeeze of dijon mustard
- a splash of apple cider vinegar
- a small pinch of red pepper flakes
- a pinch of fresh crushed garlic
- a splash of olive oil
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1.Whisk, whisk, whisk! Building flavor and a little arm muscle along the way!
Notes
Simply whisk all the ingredients together. Always taste and adjust to your liking. I prefer mine a bit more tangy, but you might enjoy a sweeter version.
Roasted Sweet Potato
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato, cubed
- a drizzle of olive oil
- a generous pinch each of turmeric, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1.Cube the sweet potato into bite-sized pieces — roughly thumb-sized.
- 2.Toss with olive oil and spices until every piece looks golden-orange and coated.
- 3.Spread on a sheet pan in a single layer. Don't crowd them or they'll steam instead of roast.
- 4.Air fry 12-15 minutes at 400F, flipping once halfway, until the edges are caramelized and slightly charred.
Notes
The char is muy importante. Don't pull them early or too late! That caramelized edge is what makes them interesting against the cold slaw.
Instant Pot Quinoa
Ingredients
- one cup of dry quinoa
- 1.25 cup or water or chicken broth
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- 1.Rinse the quinoa under cold water.
- 2.Pressure cook for 1 minute. Let it release the pressure.
- 3.Fluff with a fork and let it cool slightly before using.
Notes
Using chicken broth instead of water gives the quinoa a quiet savory depth that works well with the honey sauce.
Cabbage Slaw
Ingredients
- a few handfuls of shredded green or purple cabbage
- a splash of apple cider vinegar
- a drizzle of olive oil
- a small squeeze of honey
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1.Shred the cabbage thin — the thinner the better for texture in the bowl.
- 2.Toss with vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt.
- 3.Taste and adjust. It should be lightly tangy, barely sweet.
- 4.Let it sit for at least 10 minutes so the cabbage softens slightly.
Notes
This is the cooling, crunchy contrast to the hot chicken and sweet potato. Don't skip it. Intead of the slaw, I also made it with cucumber salad, just as amazing!
Assemble the Bowl
Ingredients
- cooked shredded rotisserie chicken, shredded
- hot honey sauce from above
- roasted sweet potato from above
- quinoa from above
- cabbage slaw from above
- a handful of fresh cilantro
- optional: sliced avocado, lime wedge
Instructions
- 1.Start with a base of quinoa in the bowl.
- 2.Pile on the sweet potato, then the slaw — keep them in separate sections so every bite is a little different.
- 3.Add the chicken on top.
- 4.Finish with a big handful of cilantro and a squeeze of lime if using.
- 5.Eat immediately — the contrast between warm chicken and cool slaw is the whole thing.
Notes
Assemble this home-made version that’s about 70% similar to the Sweetgreen original.
Summary
Honest Verdict
“Did it beat the $18 Sweetgreen bowl? Almost. Mine costs about $4 a serving and I don't have to wait in line, so I'm calling it a win. Taste-wise, my version is more mild whereas the Sweetgreen version is very savory and sweet. That's expected because I tend to cook with less salt at home to avoid feeling thirsty afterwards. I love this recipe. It's an excellent protein-packed dish to eat after working out. It's also one of those dishes that your gut will thank you for.”
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