Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Tender chicken and spiral 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 Make It:

01 - Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool completely. Set aside in a large bowl.
02 - Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
03 - Add the cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, celery, and salad greens (if using) to the bowl with the pasta.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until emulsified and smooth.
05 - Pour the honey mustard dressing over the salad. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy honey-mustard dressing clings to every spiral of pasta and each chunk of chicken so nothing gets left behind flavorless
  • You can assemble it in the morning and let it chill all day, making it that magical dish that actually tastes better after some time in the fridge
02 -
  • The dressing thickens as it chills, so if you're making this ahead, thin it with a teaspoon of water or extra vinegar before serving
  • Red onion can overpower if it sits too long, so add it right before serving if you're prepping this more than a few hours in advance
03 -
  • Reserve about a quarter cup of the pasta cooking water before draining, and whisk a tablespoon into the dressing if it seems too thick
  • Toast some sliced almonds or sunflower seeds and sprinkle them on top right before serving for an unexpected crunch
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