Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado Recipe

This Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado is the kind of meal that fills you up, makes you swoon, and leaves you wishing lunchtime lasted forever. Juicy, golden seared chicken is tossed with crisp romaine, creamy avocado, smoky bacon, and sweet pops of corn, all blanketed in a punchy, homemade honey mustard dressing. Every forkful is a sunny burst of flavor—perfect for busy weeknights or show-off lunches.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado is just how simple the ingredients are—each one shines, lending color, crunch, or a burst of flavor. You probably already have most of these on hand, and every component works together for that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory.

• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a gorgeous, golden glaze to the chicken and dressing.
• Whole Grain Mustard: Brings texture and gentle heat for a grown-up, delicious flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Smooths out the dressing with its creamy bite—don’t skip this for the best tang!
• Olive Oil: Rounds out the dressing, making it silky and perfect for both marinading and drizzling.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (or White Vinegar): Cuts through the sweetness and brightens up the whole salad—you can adjust to your preference.
• Minced Garlic: Adds depth and savoriness that takes the chicken from plain to absolutely irresistible.
• Salt: Just a pinch to make everything pop!
• Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken for juicy, quick-cooking results; thighs yield extra flavor, while breasts stay lean.
• Bacon: Diced and crisped up to add a smoky crunch in every bite.
• Romaine Lettuce Leaves: They’re sturdy, fresh, and hold up well with all those hearty toppings.
• Grape or Cherry Tomatoes: For juicy, colorful pops of brightness and tang.
• Avocado: Sliced for that dreamy, creamy texture—rich and full of heart-healthy fats.
• Corn Kernels: Sprinkle in some sunny sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
• Red Onion: Sliced thinly for a gentle bite and a lovely contrast of color.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado is how adaptable it is. Don’t be afraid to swap out ingredients or tweak flavors to fit your mood or whatever’s fresh in your fridge—this salad welcomes a little experimentation!

• Make it Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and bacon—toss in crispy chickpeas or cubes of grilled halloumi for crave-worthy protein and crunch.
• Add Extra Greens: Substitute or mix in baby spinach, arugula, or kale for different textures and extra nutrients.
• Try a Different Protein: Grilled shrimp or even leftover steak make fabulous swaps for the chicken.
• Spice It Up: Add a dash of hot sauce or thinly sliced jalapeño for a little kick.

How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado

Step 1: Whisk Together the Marinade & Dressing

Start by grabbing a medium bowl and whisking together the honey, both mustards, olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. It should look golden and glossy. Pour half into a shallow dish for the chicken marinade and stash the other half in the fridge for the salad dressing.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Nestle your chicken thighs or breasts into the marinade, turning them to coat well. If you have a couple of hours, let them soak up all that flavor in the fridge—otherwise 15-20 minutes at room temp will do in a pinch for weeknight speed!

Step 3: Sear or Grill the Chicken

Heat a teaspoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet (or grill pan) over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer—work in batches if needed. Let each side get beautifully golden and lightly crispy; this usually takes about 5-6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Set aside and let it rest so all those juices stay locked in.

Step 4: Cook the Bacon

After the chicken is cooked, carefully wipe your pan clean and add another tiny splash of oil. Toss in the diced bacon and fry until super crispy and irresistible—your kitchen will smell like heaven right about now!

Step 5: Build the Salad

On a big serving platter or in a salad bowl, arrange the romaine lettuce leaves. Top with juicy halved tomatoes, avocado slices (fan them out for bonus points), crisp corn kernels, and those pretty red onion slices. Slice or shred the warm chicken and nestle it right on top.

Step 6: Dress & Finish

Whisk a splash or two of water into the reserved dressing (this helps it drizzle smoothly) and pour it generously over your salad. Sprinkle the bacon across the top and, if you’re a pepper fan, finish with some cracked black pepper and a little extra pinch of flaky salt. That’s it—Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado perfection!

How to Serve Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado

Garnishes

A flourish of fresh herbs—think snipped chives, chopped parsley, or even a few dill sprigs—adds instant freshness and a pop of color to your Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado. A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt or fresh cracked pepper never hurts, and if you love a citrusy zing, try a quick zest of lemon over the top right before serving!

Side Dishes

This salad is pretty much a meal on its own, but I love serving it with crusty slices of sourdough or a warm baguette to sop up every drop of dressing. For something extra refreshing, pair it with a juicy fruit salad or a sparkling lemonade to round out your sunshiney lunch or dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

For lunches on the go, layer your salad ingredients in a mason jar (dressing at the bottom, lettuce on top) for a pretty, portable meal. If you’re serving guests, arrange everything on a big platter “composed style” with each ingredient in its own section—guests can build their perfect bite of Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover chicken, bacon, and veggies separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing in its own jar—this keeps everything fresh and prevents the greens from wilting prematurely.

Freezing

While the salad ingredients themselves (lettuce, avocado, tomatoes) don’t freeze well, you can absolutely freeze cooked chicken or bacon. Store them in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to enjoy another round of Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado.

Reheating

For best flavor, gently reheat chicken and bacon in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warm—just be sure not to overcook. Let them cool slightly before adding to your salad so your greens stay perky and crisp.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a salad that’s the very opposite of boring, give this Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado a try! It’s colorful, satisfying, and so ridiculously flavorful that you’ll want it on repeat. Grab your ingredients and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to something bright and utterly delicious today!

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