Honey Mustard Chicken Salad With Bacon & Avocado

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with bacon, avocado, and the most irresistible 5-ingredient honey mustard salad dressing that doubles as a marinade! With hints of garlic, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion, this honey chicken salad is the ultimate combination of fresh and hearty.

Refreshing, sweet, and savory all at once, this honey mustard chicken salad recipe has become a reader favorite and is loved all over the world. And true to my style, when I make a salad, it’s never a side; it’s a giant, satisfying meal in itself.

What Makes This Recipe Work

The secret to this honey mustard chicken salad is the dressing; it’s only five simple ingredients, yet it pulls double duty as both a marinade and a drizzle. The chicken soaks up that sweet, tangy, garlicky flavor before being seared to perfection, giving you juicy, golden pieces every single time.

From there, every bite is about balance: smoky bacon adds crisp saltiness, avocado brings creamy richness, and fresh tomatoes and onion brighten everything up. Tossed together with the honey mustard salad dressing, it’s the kind of meal-worthy salad that feels light yet completely satisfying.

What Goes Into Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

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What makes this honey mustard chicken salad recipe shine is the balance of simple, fresh ingredients paired with a bold, tangy-sweet dressing that doubles as a marinade.

• Honey: The natural sweetness in the honey blends beautifully with the mustards, giving the dressing its signature flavor.
• Whole Grain & Dijon Mustard: Using both adds layers of taste; the whole grain gives texture and punch, while Dijon brings smooth, mild sharpness.
• Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Juicy and tender once marinated, the chicken becomes the star of the salad, carrying that honey mustard flavor through every bite.
• Avocado: Creamy slices of avocado add richness that balances the tangy dressing and crisp vegetables.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

How To Make Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

1. Make Dressing and Marinade: Whisk honey, whole grain mustard, Dijon, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt. Reserve half and refrigerate, then marinate chicken in the rest.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a nonstick or grill pan over medium with a little oil. Sear chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through, then let it rest.

3. Crisp the Bacon: Wipe the pan and add a touch more oil. Fry the diced bacon until crispy, then set aside.

4. Prep the Salad Base: Arrange romaine, tomatoes, avocado, corn, and onion in a bowl or platter. Evenly spread for easy tossing.

5. Slice and Add the Chicken: Slice the rested chicken into strips. Place over the salad so every serving gets plenty of protein.

6. Dress and Finish: Whisk 2 tablespoons water into the honey mustard dressing. Drizzle, scatter the bacon, season, and serve.

If you’d like to make this honey mustard chicken salad recipe part of a larger meal, pair it with something cozy like Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Mushrooms. The rich, velvety sauce complements the sweet and tangy salad flavors, creating a balanced spread that’s both hearty and fresh.

For lighter but equally satisfying options, try Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken or Grilled Chicken Caprese With Buffalo Mozzarella. Both bring vibrant, savory flavors that play beautifully with the crisp veggies and honey mustard salad dressing, making them the perfect companions for your honey chicken salad.