Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is creamy, tangy, and packed with protein. Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a homemade honey mustard dressing come together in this easy recipe that’s perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a light dinner.

One of my favorite things about this chicken salad is how versatile it is. Serve it over lettuce, make it into sandwiches, scoop it into a wrap, pile it onto croissants, or enjoy it straight from the bowl. It’s a great way to use leftover chicken and keeps well in the refrigerator for easy meals throughout the week.

Be sure to try this Keto Chicken Salad and this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad for two other yummy options.

We make chicken salad a lot for summer dinners because it’s hearty, but still light enough for hot days. One of the great things about making this honey mustard chicken salad recipe is that I can prep it ahead of time, so that it’s ready to eat whenever we want, like getting home late from the town pool. For me, that’s a huge plus because it alleviates stress and the “What’s for dinner?” question my kids ask every single afternoon.

A Few Helpful Notes

• Rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe.
• The flavor improves after chilling for an hour or two.
• Dice the vegetables into small pieces for the best texture.
• This recipe is easy to double for meal prep.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise – Makes the dressing creamy and smooth.
• ​Plain yogurt – I use Greek yogurt here to up the protein and add a little tang.
• Whole grain mustard – Adds flavor and tanginess. Yellow mustard will also work.
• Honey – Balances the mustard with a touch of sweetness.
• Dijon mustard – Adds more tangy flavor. 
• Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper – Seasonings. 
• Cooked chicken – Rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken b, or leftover chicken all work well.
• Celery – Adds crunch. Wash and chop into small pieces. 
• Cucumber– Adds freshness and texture.
• Red onion – Provides a mild bite and color.
• Fresh parsley – For extra flavoring. 
• Chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds – Optional for crunch. 

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Substitutions

• ​Dressing – If you decide that you don’t want to make your own honey mustard dressing, you can just pick up a bottle of salad dressing from the store. 
• Green onions – Swap out the red onions and use any type that you want. 

Variations

• Bacon Honey Mustard Chicken Salad – Add crumbled bacon. It will soften with storage, so make sure to use crispy bacon.
• Sweet and Crunchy Chicken Salad – Add an extra teaspoon or two of honey plus dried cranberries (or raisins) and sliced almonds.
• Avocado Chicken Salad – Fold in diced avocado just before serving.
• Spicy Honey Mustard Chicken Salad – Add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
• Egg Chicken Salad – If you like hard-boiled eggs in your chicken salad, boil a few, peel them, chop them up, and fold them in.
• Wraps and Sandwiches – Serve in lettuce wraps, tortillas, croissants, or sandwich rolls.

See this Keto Mustard Chicken for another flavorful dinner recipe.

Storage

You can absolutely make this chicken salad and dressing ahead of time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Because of the mayonnaise and yogurt, freezing is not recommended.

Common Questions

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