🎉 Introduction
If you’ve ever had the Hot Honey Chicken Plate at Sweetgreen, you know it’s a perfect mix of flavors: sweet, spicy, savory, tangy, and fresh—all in one bowl. The great news? You can recreate this iconic favorite right at home with simple ingredients and meal-prep-friendly steps.
This version features juicy chicken seasoned with chili powder and garlic, roasted sweet potatoes, fluffy quinoa, and a refreshing cabbage-carrot slaw. It’s all tied together with a tangy Dijon-honey vinaigrette and a creamy mayo-based drizzle. The balance of heat from chili flakes, sweetness from honey, crunch from veggies, and comfort from quinoa and chicken makes every bite a winner.
Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or putting together a nourishing family dinner, this Sweetgreen dupe is hearty, customizable, and guaranteed to satisfy.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Large skillet or grill pan
- 2 medium mixing bowls
- Small whisk or blender (for dressings)
- Saucepan with lid (for quinoa)
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
🛒 Ingredients
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs
Vegetables & Aromatics:
- 1 lb sweet potatoes, cubed
- 4 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 ½ cups carrot, shredded
- ½ lime, juiced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp coriander
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Grains:
- 1 ½ cups quinoa
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Dressings & Condiments:
- 3 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 5/16 cup Dijon mustard (about 5 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Seasonings:
- 2 ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ heaping tsp cumin
- ½ tsp nutritional yeast
- 3 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (extra for veggies)
Oils:
- 7 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Quinoa
- Rinse quinoa under cold water.
- In a saucepan, bring 3 cups broth to a boil.
- Stir in quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 2: Roast Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss cubed sweet potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
Step 3: Season & Cook Chicken
- In a bowl, combine 2 lbs chicken with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 ½ tsp chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, parsley, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp black pepper.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side (until internal temp is 165°F).
- Remove, rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Step 4: Make Cabbage-Carrot Slaw
- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage and carrots.
- Add 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Toss well and let sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
Step 5: Prepare Hot Honey Dijon Dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp nutritional yeast, ½ tsp chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Make Creamy Drizzle
- Stir together mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of chili flakes until smooth.
Step 7: Assemble Plates
- Start with a scoop of quinoa.
- Add roasted sweet potatoes, cabbage slaw, and sliced chicken.
- Drizzle generously with hot honey Dijon dressing and creamy drizzle.
- Garnish with parsley or extra chili flakes.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6 bowls
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store components separately for 4 days.
- Meal Prep: Assemble bowls in containers but keep sauces separate until serving.
- Reheating: Reheat quinoa, chicken, and sweet potatoes in the microwave; add slaw and dressings afterward.
🥄 Variations
- Vegetarian: Swap chicken for crispy chickpeas or grilled tofu.
- Extra Protein: Add a hard-boiled egg or sprinkle hemp seeds on top.
- Grain Swap: Use farro, brown rice, or couscous instead of quinoa.
- Different Sweeteners: Try maple syrup instead of honey.
- Spicy Boost: Add sriracha or cayenne to the creamy drizzle.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Is this really like Sweetgreen’s Hot Honey Chicken Plate?
- Yes! It’s inspired by the original, but customizable to your taste.
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
- Absolutely—thighs are juicier and more forgiving.
- What makes the chicken spicy-sweet?
- Chili powder, red pepper flakes, and hot honey drizzle balance heat with sweetness.
- Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
- Yes, just store dressings separately until ready to serve.
- Can I skip the mayonnaise drizzle?
- Sure! It adds creaminess, but the hot honey Dijon dressing alone is delicious.
- Can I use frozen sweet potatoes?
- Yes, just roast slightly longer to crisp them up.
- What can I use instead of quinoa?
- Brown rice, farro, couscous, or even cauliflower rice.
- Can I make this vegan?
- Use plant-based mayo and maple syrup instead of honey.
- How spicy is this recipe?
- Mild to medium—adjust chili flakes and hot honey to taste.
- What toppings go well with this?
- Avocado slices, roasted seeds, or extra fresh herbs.
🏁 Conclusion
This Hot Honey Chicken Plate (Sweetgreen Dupe) is proof that restaurant-quality bowls can be made at home. With perfectly seasoned chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, and a crunchy slaw, it’s hearty, healthy, and full of bold flavor.
The combination of the sweet-spicy hot honey Dijon dressing and creamy drizzle makes every bite exciting. Ideal for meal prep or fresh dinners, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your weekly rotation.

Hot Honey Chicken Plate (Sweetgreen Dupe) | Sweet, Spicy & Balanced
Ingredients
✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love
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Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
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Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric
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CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L
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Equipment
Method
- Rinse quinoa under cold water.
- In a saucepan, bring 3 cups broth to a boil.
- Stir in quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss cubed sweet potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
- In a bowl, combine 2 lbs chicken with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 ½ tsp chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, parsley, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp black pepper.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side (until internal temp is 165°F).
- Remove, rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage and carrots.
- Add 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Toss well and let sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp nutritional yeast, ½ tsp chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir together mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of chili flakes until smooth.
- Start with a scoop of quinoa.
- Add roasted sweet potatoes, cabbage slaw, and sliced chicken.
- Drizzle generously with hot honey Dijon dressing and creamy drizzle.
- Garnish with parsley or extra chili flakes.
Notes
This Hot Honey Chicken Plate (Sweetgreen Dupe) is proof that restaurant-quality bowls can be made at home. With perfectly seasoned chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, and a crunchy slaw, it’s hearty, healthy, and full of bold flavor. The combination of the sweet-spicy hot honey Dijon dressing and creamy drizzle makes every bite exciting. Ideal for meal prep or fresh dinners, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your weekly rotation.