Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable version)

Tender chicken and pasta with crisp vegetables in zesty honey-mustard dressing

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 Prepare:

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.
06 - Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to chill and meld flavors.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The honey-mustard dressing hits that perfect sweet-tangy balance that makes people ask for the recipe
  • Its substantial enough for dinner but light enough that you won't feel heavy afterward
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, making it ideal for those weeks when cooking feels impossible
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta with cold water immediately after draining or it will keep cooking and turn mushy
  • The salad absorbs dressing as it sits, so save a little extra to refresh leftovers
  • Chicken must rest before cutting or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in the salad
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables slightly larger than you think you need—they shrink when tossed
  • Use room temperature ingredients when whisking the dressing for better emulsification
Go back