Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe

Picture this: tender grilled chicken, bursting with flavor, nestled on a crisp salad topped with juicy blueberries, salty bacon, crunchy almonds, and drizzled with a creamy, tangy honey mustard dressing. That’s the irresistible magic of Honey Mustard Chicken Salad—a meal that truly has it all and is guaranteed to ignite both your taste buds and your love of salads!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Honey Mustard Chicken Salad relies on a handful of fresh, flavorful ingredients to create a dynamic mix of colors and textures. Every element—from tangy mustard to sweet blueberries—adds its own special spark, creating a salad that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star of the show, ready to soak up the zesty, savory marinade and turn perfectly juicy on the grill.
• Soy Sauce (or Tamari/Coconut Aminos): Infuses the chicken with extra depth, umami, and a gorgeous glaze.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Keeps the chicken succulent while adding subtle richness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers a punch of savory-sweet flavor to the marinade.
• Garlic (minced): Essential for aromatic depth in the chicken marinade.
• Lemon Juice & Lemon Zest: Brightens both marinade and dressing, adding irresistible zing and freshness.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: The creamy base for the dressing—use dairy-free yogurt if needed!
• Yellow & Dijon Mustard: This dynamic duo is key for that classic tangy-sweet honey mustard magic.
• Honey: Brings all the flavors together in a perfectly sweet (not sugary) way.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Simple, but vital for balancing seasoning throughout.
• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, fresh leaves form a sturdy yet juicy base for all those toppings.
• Gorgonzola Cheese: The creamy, tangy accent that takes this salad over the top.
• Slivered Almonds: For nutty crunch in every forkful.
• Bacon (crumbled): Smoky-salty goodness to amp up the flavor.
• Blueberries: Pops of sweet, juicy color make every bite a surprise.
• Dried Cranberries or Cherries: Chewy and tart, these tie everything together beautifully.

Variations

One of the best things about Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Feel free to riff with whatever is in your fridge, suit anyone’s dietary needs, or just follow your cravings for the day!

• Add Extra Veggies: Toss in sliced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, or thinly shaved carrots for more color and crunch.
• Go Dairy-Free: Swap the Greek yogurt and gorgonzola for your favorite plant-based alternatives without sacrificing creamy goodness.
• Make It Nut-Free: Leave out the almonds and sub toasted sunflower seeds or pepitas for the same delightful crunch.
• Try Different Fruits: Swap blueberries for blackberries, or use dried cherries for a tangier twist on classic cranberries.

How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Step 1: Mix the Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing

Add all the dressing ingredients—Greek yogurt, both mustards, honey, lemon zest, salt, and pepper—into a wide-mouth mason jar. Screw on the lid and shake it up until smooth and fully blended. (You can also whisk everything together in a bowl.) Taste and adjust the honey to hit your perfect level of sweetness, then chill until you’re ready to dress the salad.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, worcestershire, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over the chicken breasts, making sure every piece is well coated. Let them soak up all that flavor in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (longer if you have time—the flavor just gets better).

Step 3: Grill the Chicken to Juicy Perfection

Preheat your grill to medium (around 400°F) and clean the grates. Shake any excess marinade off the chicken, then cook on direct heat for 4–5 minutes per side until beautifully seared. Move the chicken to indirect heat, close the lid, and finish cooking for 5–7 more minutes—no need to flip! Use a meat thermometer: once the thickest part hits 160°F, remove to rest (it will finish cooking as it rests).

Step 4: Rest and Slice the Chicken

After grilling, let the chicken rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes. Resting locks in all those wonderful juices and lets the internal temp reach a safe 165°F. Then slice or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces—your choice for salad style!

Step 5: Assemble Your Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Divide chopped romaine between four bowls. Top generously with the juicy chicken, crumbled bacon, crunchy almonds, creamy gorgonzola, sweet blueberries and tart dried cranberries. Drizzle all over with your chilled honey mustard dressing and toss lightly. Time to dig in and enjoy!

How to Serve Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Garnishes

Sprinkle extra gorgonzola, a handful of fresh herbs like chives or parsley, or a big twist of cracked black pepper on top just before serving. Not only does it look impressive, but these simple touches let the Honey Mustard Chicken Salad shine even more.

Side Dishes

Pair your Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with crusty bread, warm pita, or a bowl of homemade soup for a complete meal. It also pairs beautifully with a simple fruit salad or lightly roasted veggies for those extra hungry days.

Creative Ways to Present

For an elegant touch, serve the salad in mason jars for portable lunches or as bite-sized appetizer cups at parties. You can even plate it on a big communal platter for a family-style dinner—let everyone dig in and drizzle their own extra honey mustard dressing!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the chicken, toppings, and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. This keeps the lettuce fresh and crisp, so every bowl tastes just-made and delicious.

Freezing

The marinated, cooked chicken freezes beautifully! Slice it and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For best results, don’t freeze the lettuce or delicate toppings—instead, assemble fresh when ready to eat.

Reheating

Warm up your chicken gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until it’s heated through but still juicy. Add reheated chicken to your assembled Honey Mustard Chicken Salad just before serving for the best warm-cold contrast.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is the kind of meal you’ll return to again and again—so fresh, so satisfying, and so easy to make your own. I hope it becomes a favorite bright spot in your week, no matter the season. Give it a try and enjoy every craveable, golden bite!

Print