Chopped Chicken Salad with Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
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This crisp, colorful Chopped Chicken Salad is the perfect quick lunch or dinner, especially when you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken to use up. The homemade honey mustard dressing ties it all together with the perfect balance of tangy and sweet!
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Chopped Chicken Salad
Quick, satisfying, and packed with flavor, perfect for weeknights or meal prep!
This chopped chicken salad is the kind of salad that actually satisfies! It’s loaded with crisp lettuce, juicy rotisserie chicken, creamy avocado, and crispy bacon. And don’t get even me started on the dressing! The homemade honey mustard dressing comes together in seconds and really takes this salad to the next level.
Whether you’re serving it for a light dinner or prepping lunches for the week, it’s a salad you’ll actually look forward to eating.
Ingredient Notes for Chopped Chicken Salad Recipe
For the Honey Mustard Dressing
- Dijon Mustard | Adds a sharp, tangy base to the dressing.
- Honey | Brings just enough sweetness to balance the mustard.
- Olive Oil | Helps emulsify the dressing and adds richness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice | Brightens up the flavor and gives it a bit of zip.
- Salt and Pepper | Essential for seasoning to taste.
For the Chopped Salad
- Rotisserie Chicken | A convenient, flavorful protein that makes this salad filling.
- Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce | Crisp and refreshing, perfect for chopped salads.
- Cherry Tomatoes | Juicy and slightly sweet! Slice them in half so they mix in easily.
- Cucumber | Adds a fresh, cool crunch.
- Red Onion | Thinly sliced for a little bite and sharpness.
- Avocado | Dice it right before serving for best texture.
- Cooked Bacon | Brings smoky, salty crunch to every bite.
- Feta Cheese | Adds a salty, tangy finish that complements the dressing.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese: Swap feta for goat cheese, blue cheese, or cortija cheese. You can also leave it out for a dairy-free salad.
- Protein: Use grilled chicken, shredded turkey, or chickpeas for a vegetarian or different protein option.
- Add-ins: Toss in hard-boiled eggs, croutons, sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, or crispy tortilla strips.
How to Make Chopped Salad
You don’t need anything fancy to make this chicken chopped salad, just a cutting board, a knife, and a jar or bowl to shake up the dressing.
PREP THE SALAD. In a large bowl, gently toss together the iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, bacon, and rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken. Sprinkle the top with crumbled feta cheese.
MAKE THE DRESSING. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
COMBINE SALAD WITH DRESSING & SERVE. Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
More Recipe Success Tips
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any undressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent sogginess. If the salad is already dressed, it’s best eaten within 1 day. Bacon will lose crispness over time, so store it separately if possible. Avocado can brown, so squeeze a little lemon over it to help slow that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Prep and store the ingredients separately, especially the dressing and avocado, and toss everything together just before serving.
You can pan-fry it, bake it in the oven, or use pre-cooked bacon for convenience. Just be sure it’s crispy for the best texture.
Absolutely! You can try cooked shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, grilled steak, or crispy tofu for variety.
Looking for More Satisfying Salad Recipes?
This easy grilled shrimp salad with citrus vinaigrette or my chicken caesar salad are always family favorites. Or I have a yummy grilled salmon salad recipe, too!
What to Serve With Chopped Chicken Salad
This chopped chicken salad with homemade salad dressing makes a complete meal on its own, but you can round it out with a slice of crusty bread or a cup of soup like roasted tomato soup or broccoli potato soup. For a light summer meal, serve it alongside grilled corn on the cob in foil!
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Chicken Chopped Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients
Honey Mustard Dressing
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped Salad
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken chopped or shredded
- 4 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber diced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 medium ripe avocado diced
- 4 slices cooked bacon chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, gently toss together the iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, bacon, and rotisserie chicken. Sprinkle the top with crumbled feta cheese.
- Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chop everything to a similar size. This makes it easier to eat and ensures every bite has a bit of everything.
- Use cold, crisp lettuce. Rinse and chill your greens in the fridge before chopping for the best texture and crunch.
- Make the dressing ahead. It tastes even better after sitting for a bit and can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.
- Add the avocado last. Dice it just before serving to keep it fresh and green—no brown mush here.
- Toss gently but thoroughly. Use clean hands or tongs to mix everything together, so the ingredients stay intact but well coated.
- Storage: Store any undressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent sogginess. If the salad is already dressed, it’s best eaten within 1 day. Bacon will lose crispness over time, so store it separately if possible. Avocado can brown, so squeeze a little lemon over it to help slow that process.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
