I love the idea of a chicken salad, but I am deathly afraid of a traditional chicken salad (I can see thick goopy white chicken salads with grapes in the in my mind!!) because of my rather outspoken mayonnaise aversion. So I will often look for new twists on the original version. One of my favorites is this bright, beautiful Chicken Mango Salad.

It comes from a memory. I was 19 years old and went to a really pretty wedding shower (the first I had ever been to) on a house boat. There was a chicken and mango salad served at that wedding shower, and for some reason I have always remembered it. (Isn’t that funny!?) that was 15 years ago and I can still see it. To me, the taste and the colors were so elegant and have always been what I conjour in my mind as “shower fare.” But it turns out it is lovely no matter whether it is for a shower, or just for a week day lunch!

I tried to recreate that Chicken Mango Salad for a recent ladies luncheon and it was as pretty and delicious as I remember the first one I had. This salad has such fresh and vibrant flavors, made with ripe juicy mangos and fresh herbs, honey and shredded chicken breast.

I would also lay this on a bed of tender greens or frisee for a beautiful presentation, but otherwise it could make a perfect light lunch or dinner. I think I may make a big batch to snack on this weekend!

To make this Chicken Mango Salad, this is what you do:

In a medium sized bowl, combine the chives, olive oil, honey and lime juice, whisking together with a fork.

Add the shredded chicken and the mango and toss together. Season with Salt and pepper to taste and serve chilled.