Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable Copy)

Vibrant salad with grilled chicken, spiral pasta, and fresh vegetables in a zesty honey-mustard dressing. Ready in 35 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz spiral pasta (fusilli or rotini)

→ Chicken

02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10 oz)
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 tablespoons Dijon mustard
13 - 2 tablespoons honey
14 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
15 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make:

01 - Cook spiral pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled completely. Set aside.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Allow to rest for 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 and well combined.
05 - Pour dressing over 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 allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey mustard dressing hits that perfect sweet-tangy balance that makes you actually want to finish your vegetables
  • It travels beautifully and tastes even better after the flavors hang out for a while
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so you are not scrambling when hungry people start asking whats for dinner
02 -
  • Hot pasta will wilt the vegetables and make the dressing separate, so let it cool completely before mixing
  • Grilled chicken adds a smoky depth that is absolutely worth the extra time
  • The dressing thickens as it chills, so add a splash of water or vinegar before serving leftovers
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before tossing it in, then adjust the honey or mustard to match your preferences
  • Saving a little parsley to sprinkle on top right before serving makes it look freshly made
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