Description
Crisp honey mustard chicken salad blends zesty flavors with creamy textures for a delightful meal. Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and smooth avocado create a perfect balance you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 skinless and boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 cup diced bacon (trimmed of rind and fat)
Fresh Produce:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce leaves (washed)
- 1 cup sliced grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 large avocado (pitted and sliced)
- 1/4 cup corn kernels
- 1/4 red onion (sliced)
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons smooth and mild dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Salt to season
Instructions
- Prepare the honey mustard marinade and dressing by thoroughly blending all components in a mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth, well-incorporated mixture.
- Reserve half the marinade in a separate container and refrigerate for later use as a dressing, while pouring the remaining half into a shallow dish for chicken marination.
- Allow chicken to absorb marinade flavors for approximately 120 minutes in the refrigerator, ensuring maximum flavor penetration.
- Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with a light coating of oil, reaching around 375°F.
- Carefully transfer marinated chicken to the hot pan, searing each side until a golden-brown crust develops and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from heat, letting it rest for 3-5 minutes to retain moisture and allow juices to redistribute.
- Using the same skillet, cook bacon until achieving a crisp, golden texture with slightly curled edges.
- Slice rested chicken into uniform strips for even distribution across the salad.
- Arrange a bed of fresh lettuce and strategically layer sliced tomatoes, creamy avocado, sweet corn kernels, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Position chicken strips atop the vegetable base, creating an appealing visual presentation.
- Whisk reserved marinade with two tablespoons of water to thin consistency, then delicately drizzle over the salad.
- Garnish with crispy bacon fragments and optionally season with additional salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor absorption, allowing the honey mustard blend to deeply penetrate the meat for a more robust taste profile.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F, preventing any potential foodborne illness while maintaining juicy texture.
- Use high-heat searing technique to create a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and develops a delicious caramelized crust on the chicken.
- try grilled tofu for a vegetarian version, or use turkey bacon for a lighter protein alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg