Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender chicken and crisp vegetables in zesty honey-mustard dressing with spiral pasta. Perfect for picnics or light meals.

# 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:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey-mustard dressing hits that perfect sweet-tangy spot that makes everyone keep coming back for seconds
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, making it your go-to for busy weekdays and summer gatherings
  • Crisp vegetables and tender chicken create the most satisfying texture contrast in every bite
02 -
  • Rinse your pasta immediately after draining, or it will continue cooking and become mushy as it cools
  • The dressing tastes even better after sitting for an hour, so do not be afraid to make it ahead
  • Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors really marry
03 -
  • Use room temperature ingredients when making the dressing to help it emulsify properly
  • Season your pasta water generously—it is your only chance to salt the noodles themselves
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