Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
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This Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making on repeat. Tender shredded chicken is tossed in a creamy honey mustard dressing with crisp celery, sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and just enough red onion to keep every bite interesting.
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
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It’s quick to throw together, keeps well in the refrigerator, and works just as well for meal prep as it does for an easy lunch. Whether you’re looking for something to pile onto buttery croissants, scoop onto crackers, or enjoy over a bed of fresh greens, this chicken salad is packed with flavor and comes together in minutes.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This chicken salad made with honey mustard strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy. The homemade dressing is rich without being heavy, while the apples, celery, and pecans add plenty of fresh texture. It’s a great make-ahead recipe, perfect for lunches throughout the week, and using rotisserie chicken makes it incredibly fast to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dijon mustard & Whole grain mustard
- Honey
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic powder, Black pepper
- Cooked shredded chicken
- Celery, Red onion, Apple
- Pecans
Step By Step Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded chicken, celery, red onion, diced apple, and chopped pecans. Stir until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving so the flavors have a chance to come together.
Tips for the Best Chicken Salad
Rotisserie chicken is the easiest option and adds wonderful flavor. Leftover chicken can also be used.
Dice the celery, onion, and apple into small pieces so every bite has a little bit of everything. Leave the peel on the apple for extra color and texture.
Toast the pecans for a few minutes if you’d like an even richer nutty flavor.
If your chicken salad seems a little thick after chilling, stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise before serving.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Because this recipe contains mayonnaise, it should remain refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it. It is not recommended for freezing, as the dressing can separate once thawed.
More Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes
How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup diced apple
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken, celery, red onion, diced apple, and chopped pecans. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and adds extra flavor.
- Finely dice the celery, apple, and onion so every bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Delicious served on croissants, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, tortillas, salads, or with crackers.
Nutrition
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Tools We Love
- Santoku knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
- End grain cutting board – This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on. And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards.
Other Awesome Honey Mustard Recipes
- Crock Pot Honey Mustard Chicken
- Honey Mustard Salmon Recipe
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
- Homemade Honey Mustard Recipe
- Broccoli Slaw (with Honey Mustard Dressing)
Variations
This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have on hand.
- Swap pecans for walnuts, sliced almonds, or sunflower seeds.
- Add dried cranberries for a little extra sweetness.
- Mix in chopped fresh parsley or chives for freshness.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of part of the mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
- Add cooked crumbled bacon for a smoky twist.
Serving Suggestions
Honey mustard chicken salad is incredibly versatile. Serve it:
- On buttery croissants
- Stuffed into pita pockets or tortillas
- Wrapped in lettuce leaves
- Over mixed greens
- With crackers or toasted baguette slices
- In meal prep containers with fresh fruit and vegetables
It’s equally at home at picnics, potlucks, lunches, and light dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best chicken for chicken salad?
Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest and most flavorful options, but any cooked shredded or diced chicken works well. Leftover grilled, baked, or poached chicken breasts are all excellent choices.
Can I make honey mustard chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after it has chilled for a little while. Making it several hours ahead gives the flavors time to blend together beautifully.
What kind of apple is best?
Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples all work wonderfully because they’re crisp and slightly sweet (honeycrisp is my personal favorite).
Can I make it without nuts?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the pecans if you have a nut allergy or prefer a nut-free chicken salad.
How long does chicken salad last?
Stored properly in the refrigerator, honey mustard chicken salad stays fresh for 2 to 3 days.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is an easy recipe that’s full of texture and flavor while taking almost no time to prepare. Whether you’re making lunches for the week, serving brunch with friends, or looking for a simple dinner on a busy night, it’s a fresh, satisfying recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
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