Grilled Chicken Salad with greens and vegetables are tossed in a honey-lime vinaigrette and topped with a delicious peanut sauce.
Houston’s Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe
Trust me, this delicious grilled chicken salad will soon become your summertime staple! Other grilled chicken favorites Korean Grilled Chicken Breasts, Grilled Chicken Shawarma and Grilled Bourbon Chicken.
Hi there, I’m Heather K. Jones. I’m a dietitian, a wellness coach and the founder of Feel Better Eat Better, a program for women who struggle with emotional eating, binge eating, or food or body image issues of any sort. If you need help with emotional eating, you can sign up for my FREE workshop right HERE. And you can join the super-supportive Feel Better Eat Better Facebook group right HERE. I love sharing what has helped me and my clients build healthier and happier lives!
When I shared the Houston’s Couscous recipe on Skinnytaste a few months ago, I got quite a lot of requests for the Houston’s Grilled Chicken Salad recipe, and I wasn’t surprised! When I worked at Houston’s in Bethesda, Maryland, during my college years, the Grilled Chicken Salad was one of the most-ordered items on the entire menu. And with good reason! Greens and veggies are tossed in a honey-lime vinaigrette and topped with a to-die-for peanut sauce. Make this for friends and family, and I guarantee that someone (or many someones!) will ask you for the recipe—it’s just that good. Enjoy!
Houston’s Grilled Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For Peanut Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce, or gf soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
For Honey Lime Vinaigrette:
- Zest and juice from 1 medium lime
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon finely minced white onion
- 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- Pinch kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For salad:
- 1 pound 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8 cups mixed baby greens
- ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup sliced jicama
- ½ cup store-bought tortilla strips, check labels for GF
Instructions
- Make peanut sauce: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.Make vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients in another small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken between a piece of plastic wrap or parchment and pound to an even thickness. Season with salt and pepper. Grill for 5-6 minutes, turn and grill for an additional 5-6 minutes more, or until chicken is cooked through. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thin.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine greens, bell pepper, carrots and jicama. Add peanut sauce, vinaigrette and chicken and gently toss to combine. Divide the salad among 4 bowls and top each with 2 tablespoons tortilla strips. Serve immediately.
SO GOOD! Taste just like one from Hillstone. Thanks!
I worked at Houston’s for @ 2 years and loved this salad both then and now! This recipe is such a refreshing replication of this beloved Houston’s staple! Simply Awesome!!!!
Thanks Cheri!
Added mango. Yum!
This salad is DELICIOUS!!! I make it almost every week; a great way to use leftover grilled chicken.
Can both dressings be made the day ahead?
Your recipe is the most authentic copycat version of this salad. I’ve been on a quest to find this recipe, since I don’t live anywhere near a Houston’s and love this salad. There are thousands of copycat recipes of the same copycat recipe, which are all incorrect, and do not list all the correct ingredients, except for yours. Thank you!
Great recipe, even one family member that doesn’t enjoy salad for dinner said that this is on his top 5 list! So much flavor in this dish. I served the dressing and peanut sauce on the side so each person could decide how much to use. I was worried about the chicken being bland without added spices but it was perfect for this dish although we did grill it over charcoal.
Do you know how this differs from the original recipe? I feel pretty sure the original didn’t have diced red peppers at least. Did you do any riffs on the salad or is this pretty exact?
Thanks for posting!
The one at Houston’s does not have bell pepper, but it does have corn, which this recipe has omitted. I make it without the bell pepper and with the corn like the real one.
An absolute favorite in my house! I combine the sauces together in one bowl since they both end up being tossed with the salad. So delicious!!!
Thanks Alison!
Yummm
Yum!! This recipe was so good. Lots of flavor in the dressings and went great with the chicken. Definitely not a boring salad.
Super tasty and filling salad! I couldn’t find jicama, so used julienned radishes instead.
WOW this is a great recipe! The lime in the dressing pairs really well with the peanut sauce which surprised me. And the peanut sauce is to die for!! I could not find jicama so I subbed in Granny Smith apple cut in matchsticks- different flavor but similar texture and the sweetness worked great.
Thank you for this recipe! It is so so good. Been meaning to try it for a while and finally made it this week. Excellent dupe for the Houston’s salad.
Any substitute for the jicama? It’s not available here. Or should I just omit it?
If you want the crunch, maybe water chestnuts. Really no flavor but all the crunch!
I’ve been making this recipe for years and it never fails!
Excellent
Such a great recipe. Fresh, tasty, filling – perfect!
I used to eat this salad at Houston’s in Nashville years ago before they closed the location. It was my FAVORITE item on the menu. I have tried to copy it myself, but the chicken they put in the salad was so tender and juicy. I always wondered if they marinated it or put it in a brine. Does anyone know? I still make this and love it!!
This salad is delicious. Is the nutritional information for 2 tablespoons of the vinaigarette and a drizzle of the peanut sauce?
Love this recipe. Definitely adding it to my rotation
Houston’s Grilled Chicken Salad is wonderful! The dressings are so delicious! Such a great dinner salad for summertime!
I have made this recipe a few times now. It is great! Taste so much like the restaurant version. I have used PB2 in place of the peanut butter and one time used a bagged “Asian” greens mix. Either way, the salad was delicious!
OBSESSED with this salad! What a great recipe, and easy to boot. Thanks a mil!
If I wanted to make this into a mason jar recipe – would I just combine the dressings at the bottom of the jar? Or would I put the vinegarette at the bottom and keep the peanut butter dressing on the side?
Thank you for this delicious recipe! My husband and I both loved it.
It seems like it would be easier to combine the peanut sauce and vinaigrette in the recipe if both are poured on at once. That’s what I did.
I have never been to Houstons or even heard of it! But this salad is phenomenal, both the peanut sauce and dressing are to die for! Looking forward to making this often for both lunches and dinners!
ABSOLUTE KEEPER! my husband absolutely loved it and cant wait to make this for my entire family..
This was so delicious & I felt like I was a top chef serving it! I could not find jicama at the market I went to so keeping texture in mind I picked up a couple of fresh beets & sliced em up like the pic. Let me tell you I felt like I was eating a bowl of health! I got compliments all around. Thank you, Gina, for helping to keep my family & I eat deliciously clean! I always know where to go for a great lo- cal recipe! xoxo
We made these in mason jars for our lunches a couple of weeks ago, and it instantly became a new favorite! This was my first time to have Jamaica, and I loved the flavor of it in this salad. The are a lot of strong flavors in this salad, and they compliment each other so well. I’m looking forward to having it again!
I never, ever comment on anything but, WOW, this tastes exactly like the Houston’s salad that, anyone who has been there, has probably tried and loved! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! Love this and how I can always count on you for recipes that taste delicious!
So, do you toss the peanut sauce with the salad or do you use it to top the chicken? The recipe says it both ways. I tossed it per the directions in the method and the salad was WAY overdressed. (Delicious, though.)
You can try tossing the salad with the vinaigrette and just drizzle the peanut sauce on top. It looks prettier that way too.:)
If I don’t have jicama on hand what could I use instead?
I would just skip it! I can’t think of anything to replace the jicama with, but the salad will taste great without it.
I replaced the jicama with canned, drained water chestnuts. So crunchy!
If I were to use PB2 and not use the tortilla strips, any idea how many points I would save?
So excited to make this, Houston’s was always a stop on our summer vacations in Florida! One of our other favorites was the kale salad, and we’ve never been able to replicate it quite right…just in case you’re taking requests for the next recipe 🙂
I made this last night for dinner and it was delicious! Tasted just ljust like the Houston’s salad I know and love
Glad you enjoyed it Joanne!
This is restaurant-quality. I don’t like diets but need to lose weight. Your recipes are wonderful!!!
Thanks Mernie!
Can you substitute olive oil for veg oil in the vinaigrette?
Sure!
I made this for dinner last night and am enjoying the leftovers for lunch right now- so yummy! How long will the dressing keep in the fridge if I double the recipe? The peanuts sauce would be perfect with chicken satay or chicken tenders in the air fryer ?
Happy you enjoyed it! I think the dressing will last for at least 2 or 3 days in the fridge.
Gina, what brand tortilla strips did you use? The ones I found were way bigger. I’ll probably jest make some.
Crumbled tortilla chips would work!
And you can buy the strips on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Gourmet-Tortilla-Strips-Santa/dp/B006CFVVMI
Read more at https://www.skinnytaste.com/houstons-grilled-chicken-salad/#6vpo2jUVBf35EiWd.99
This just moved to first place in the “Keeper” category! I mixed the peanut sauce with the sliced chicken. I mixed the fresh lime vinaigrette with cooked white basmati rice. I placed both on a bed of fresh greens. YUM!!
I can’t find tortilla strips. What can I substitute for it?
Hi Mary – crumbled tortilla chips would work!
And you can buy the strips on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Gourmet-Tortilla-Strips-Santa/dp/B006CFVVMI
This looks so good and right up my alley, however the sodium is to high for me due to my blood pressure issues. Any suggestions on lower the sodium so I may enjoy this salad?
Thank You!
Hi Nina – you can use no salt added peanut butter. And, of course, don’t add the extra salt in the salad or the vinaigrette. You could also use no salt tortilla chips.
what are the points plus points for this one
I am still using the Smart Points. I checked it on my handy dandy calculator and I got 10 points This Freestyle had me gaining weight so i went back to the 30 points per day. Much happier. I am going to try this even though it is 10 points!.
Can I make the dressings a day or two ahead?
Yes! I think they will last for at least 2 or 3 days in the fridge.
How long would the peanut sauce and vinaigrette keep in the fridge? I’d like to make them up to use as salad dressing for myself at lunch several days – no one else at home eats a salad for a meal!
I think they would last for at least 2 or 3 days in the fridge.
is lettuce safe to eat now? I haven’t had a salad since the outbreak.
Yes, according to the CDC it is safe!
It says to toss the whole salad in both the vinaigrette and the peanut sauce?
Yes, that is how I do it. But you can also drizzle the peanut sauce on top for serving (it looks prettier that way), and then each person can mix it in.
Are the tortilla strips more like chips or can I just buy corn corrillo and cut them up? Just don’t want them to get soggy. This salad looks amazing!
They are more like chips. Crumbled tortilla chips would work too.
And you can buy the strips on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Gourmet-Tortilla-Strips-Santa/dp/B006CFVVMI
Read more at https://www.skinnytaste.com/houstons-grilled-chicken-salad/#6vpo2jUVBf35EiWd.99
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! My favorite salad in the world! Been looking for this for years. My heart broke when Houstons closed. Be. Still my heart. Can’t wait to make this.
OMGosh,,,,,I lived on this salad in the late 90’s!!! SO GOOD! Now for their spinach dip… 🙂
Me too, Kelly 🙂
I’m so excited about this salad! It’s officially going on the menu this week. By he way, I loved the Houston’s couscous recipe also. So delicious!
Happy to hear, Katherine! Everything at Houston’s (now called Woodmont Grill in Bethesda) is so delicious! 🙂
Could you use PB2 like in those tasty thai chicken tacos with peanut sauce?
Sure
I was thinking that too – how many points would it save do you think?
The beauty of a peanut is that it contains all of the nutrients nature intended. It has a healthy dose of fat, protein and vitamins. PB2 extracts almost all of the essential monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, leaching the vitamin E content which is fat soluble, therefore reducing the nutritional content of the whole food. The fat is what keeps you satisfied and reduces cravings making just a tablespoon of real peanut butter so satisfying. This powdered form looks pretty clean when you review the ingredients, but it’s just another way for manufacturers to trick you into thinking less calories is better for you. They have to add a mixture of sugar and salt into the powder to make it taste better without the fat. I know I’d rather have the fat vs. the sugar and salt!
Great idea! I suspect that would drop the points down too?
I had the same thought. I just did the math and it would save 5 points total. Since this makes 4 servings, that is roughly 1 point per serving. Making this salad 6sp per serving using PB2 instead of regular peanut butter.
Why not just use real natural peanut butter .The beauty of a peanut is that it contains all of the nutrients nature intended. It has a healthy dose of fat, protein and vitamins. PB2 extracts almost all of the essential monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, leaching the vitamin E content which is fat soluble, therefore reducing the nutritional content of the whole food. The fat is what keeps you satisfied and reduces cravings making just a tablespoon of real peanut butter so satisfying. This powdered form looks pretty clean when you review the ingredients, but it’s just another way for manufacturers to trick you into thinking less calories is better for you. They have to add a mixture of sugar and salt into the powder to make it taste better without the fat. I know I’d rather have the fat vs. the sugar and salt!
quick question: do you think you could substitute the peanut butter for almond or other and the flavor profile would still be the same? One of my children has a peanut allergy .
The flavor will be different but I do think it will still taste good. What about tahini (sesame paste).
Can’t get much better Houston’s was the best. Went to the one in Rockville Retired MCPD??♀️ Small world I have been a follower for a long time I do all the cooking at home and you have been a God Send to this community. I’m a big Insta Pot Junky am got one for my Kids for Xmas
Thank you again keep it up
Bill Lumpkin MCPD ret?
Cashew butter would be a good match with the rest of the flavors!