Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and crisp vegetables tossed with spiral pasta in a zesty honey-mustard dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz spiral pasta (fusilli or rotini)

→ Chicken

02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10 oz)
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
08 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
10 - 1/4 cup celery, thinly sliced
11 - 2 cups mixed salad greens (optional)

→ Honey Mustard Dressing

12 - 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
13 - 2 tbsp honey
14 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
15 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
16 - 2 tbsp olive oil
17 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

19 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; set aside.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes, then dice or slice into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, celery, and salad greens (if using).
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to chill and meld flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble it in under five minutes before serving
  • The dressing strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet without being cloying
02 -
  • The pasta continues absorbing dressing as it sits, so add a splash more right before serving if it seems dry
  • Grilled chicken adds a smoky depth that takes this from good to memorable
03 -
  • Soak red onion in cold water for ten minutes to tame its sharp bite while keeping the flavor
  • Use leftover rotisserie chicken on busy weeknights and skip the cooking step entirely
Go Back