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A fresh Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with crispy chicken, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and creamy dressing in a white bowl.
Layla

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Juicy honey mustard chicken over crisp greens with a tangy homemade dressing that doubles as marinade.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Honey Mustard Dressing
  • 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
  • 0.75 tsp salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
For the Salad
  • 8 oz mixed salad greens romaine, spinach, or spring mix
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber sliced
  • 0.25 cup red onion thinly sliced

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Small Bowl
  • Tongs

Method
 

Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and minced garlic until smooth. Taste and adjust - add more honey if too tart, more mustard if too sweet. Set aside 3 tablespoons for cooking the chicken.
Prep and Cook the Chicken
  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. If they're thick in the middle, pound to an even 3/4-inch thickness so they cook evenly.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the bottom is deeply golden and releases easily from the pan.
  3. Flip chicken, reduce heat to medium, and spoon the reserved 3 tablespoons dressing over the top. Continue cooking 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and the glaze is sticky and caramelized in spots. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle with half the remaining dressing and toss gently to coat. Taste and add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt if needed.
  2. Slice chicken against the grain into 1/2-inch strips. Arrange over the dressed greens and drizzle with remaining dressing. Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm.

Notes

Make it ahead: The dressing keeps for 1 week refrigerated. Bring to room temperature and whisk before using. For extra crunch, add toasted almonds or croutons just before serving. Swap chicken thighs if you prefer - they stay juicier and cook in the same time.