Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Name: Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 slices bacon; 1 ½ cups Romaine lettuce leaves; 1 cup arugula; ½ cup sliced grape or cherry tomatoes; 1 large avocado (pitted and sliced); ½ cup honey; 4 tablespoons stone ground mustard; 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar); 2 tablespoons olive oil; Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

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Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is an ideal salad for Spring and Summer, featuring a burst of fresh flavors. Indulge in the delightful combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and a tangy honey mustard dressing to create what might be the absolute perfect salad.

If you adore honey mustard, but don’t like the calories and fat that are normally in the bottled version, this is the recipe for you. All the honey mustard flavor, a lot less guilt!

If you’re looking for an even quicker recipe, you can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken instead. You can also use rotisserie chicken to make my Chicken and Avocado Caprese Salad by carefully removing the breast and slicing it. Rotisserie chicken is a major kitchen hack for making just about everything from tacos to soup to pot pie.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here’s what you’ll love about this chicken salad recipe:

Versatile: Whether you’re looking for a satisfying lunch, a light dinner, or a potluck dish, this salad fits the bill. It’s a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish.

Flavorful Homemade Dressing: The homemade honey mustard dressing is the star of this recipe. It strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy and adds so much deliciousness.

Balanced Texture: Tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, fresh greens… this salad offers so many interesting textures. Every bite brings a satisfying contrast of softness, crunch, and creaminess.

Quick and Easy: With straightforward steps and ingredients you probably already have on hand, this recipe is a breeze to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Customizable: You can customize this salad and easily add and remove ingredients. Add crumbled feta cheese, toasted nuts, or dried fruits for extra flavor and even more texture.

What can I serve with this?

Serve the salad with a side of crusty bread or dinner rolls. They can be used to create small sandwiches or simply enjoyed alongside the salad.

A warm bowl of creamy soup, such as tomato soup or butternut squash, tastes really good with this chicken salad with honey mustard, especially during colder months.

Add some grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus to the meal. Their smoky flavors and vibrant colors will complement the salad beautifully.

Make a pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese as a side dish.

Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD

Chicken breasts – boneless skinless breast, or use rotisserie chicken
Olive oil – you can also use avocado oil if you prefer
Bacon – cooked, or use 2 tbsp pre-cooked bacon bits
Romaine lettuce leaves – you can use any variety of lettuce you prefer
Arugula
Grape or cherry tomatoes
Avocado

HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING AND MARINADE

Honey
Ground mustard – you can substitute with a good squirt of brown mustard if you need to
White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Olive oil
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

honey mustard chicken salad ingredients image

How to Make

STEP ONE: Make the dressing. Whisk the honey mustard dressing ingredients together to combine. Pour half of the honey mustard dressing into a shallow dish to marinate the chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Refrigerate the remaining dressing. When you’re ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade and place them on a sheet pan.

STEP TWO: Bake the chicken and the bacon. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Add the bacon strips to a separate sheet pan. Place the chicken and bacon in the oven. Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, and the bacon for 15-20 minutes. Remove the bacon from the oven and let it cool before crumbling. Slice the chicken into strips.

STEP THREE: Prepare the salads: Take serving plates or bowls and add the romaine lettuce and arugula. Add the sliced chicken breasts on top, followed by the crumbled bacon, tomatoes, and avocado slices. Take the remaining dressing and drizzle it on top of the salad.

Tips and Recipe Notes

Be patient and let the chicken breasts marinate in the honey mustard dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. The longer the chicken marinates, the more impactful the flavor will be.
Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips. This will help it retain its juiciness and make it easier to handle.
Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the top of the salad rather than mixing it in. This helps the lettuce leaves not to get soggy.

How to Store Leftovers

If you have any leftovers from your Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, you can definitely enjoy them again.

First, it’s best to store your ingredients separately so your salad doesn’t become too mushy. Store your ingredients tightly wrapped in the fridge.

You can also store your salad dressing in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a good shake before using it.

The salad should last 3-4 days if it’s dry, or you can always grab some fresh lettuce and make a new salad if you’ve saved the toppings and dressing.

How to Reheat the Chicken

If you want to reheat the chicken, you can preheat a skillet and reheat it with a small amount of oil. Just cook them a few minutes on each side. You can also use the microwave, but only for a short time, or your chicken will become rubbery.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, this Honey Mustard Chicken Salad should be gluten-free already, but check your ingredients for added gluten. Your mustard and bacon may have gluten, so just double-check!

FAQs

Can I substitute the honey with another sweetener like maple syrup?

Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup if you prefer. It will taste quite different, but you can do it if you need to.

What else can I add to the salad?

Feel free to add your favorite vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, or red onions. You can also add other toppings like croutons, feta cheese, mozzarella, or dried fruit and nuts.

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, the dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using it on the salad.

Can I make a vegan version of this salad?

Yes, you can make a vegan version by omitting the chicken, bacon, and honey. Replace the honey with a vegan-friendly sweetener like agave nectar or maple syrup. Use vegan protein alternatives, or skip it altogether.

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