Honey Mustard Chicken Cobb Salad is a fresh, colorful, and hearty salad layered with juicy grilled chicken, crisp greens, creamy avocado, eggs, and a sweet-and-tangy honey mustard dressing. It’s a full meal in a bowl—one that’s just as satisfying as it is wholesome.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love how this salad gives me the perfect mix of textures and flavors—crunchy, creamy, smoky, and sweet. The honey mustard chicken brings a bold punch of flavor, and every topping feels like it belongs. It’s easy to prep, customizable, and makes a light lunch or dinner that still leaves me full and happy.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the salad:
-
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
-
Mixed salad greens (like romaine, spinach, arugula)
-
Hard-boiled eggs, halved or sliced
-
Avocado, sliced
-
Cherry tomatoes, halved
-
Red onion, thinly sliced
-
Blue cheese or feta crumbles (optional)
For the honey mustard dressing:
-
Dijon mustard
-
Honey
-
Olive oil
-
Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
-
Garlic powder
-
Salt and pepper
Directions
-
I start by whisking together the honey mustard dressing—Dijon, honey, vinegar, oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper—until smooth.
-
I pour some of the dressing over the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, then grill or pan-sear the chicken until golden and cooked through.
-
While the chicken rests, I prep the salad ingredients—wash the greens, slice the avocado, boil and peel the eggs, and chop the veggies.
-
I assemble the greens in a large bowl or platter, then layer on the chicken (sliced), eggs, tomatoes, onion, avocado, and cheese.
-
I drizzle with more honey mustard dressing just before serving or serve it on the side.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 and takes about 35 minutes—10 minutes to prep the dressing and salad, 20 minutes to marinate and cook the chicken, and a few minutes to assemble.
Variations
-
I sometimes swap the chicken for grilled shrimp or tofu for a pescatarian or vegetarian option.
-
For extra crunch, I add roasted chickpeas or croutons.
-
I’ve used store-bought honey mustard dressing when I’m short on time, though homemade tastes best.
-
A sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds adds great texture and healthy fats.
Storage/Reheating
I store any leftover components separately to keep everything fresh. The chicken, and eggs keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dressing can be refrigerated for up to a week—just shake or stir before using. I reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave if I want it warm over the salad.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken works great. I just slice and toss it with a bit of the dressing to refresh the flavor.
Is the dressing very sweet?
It has a balanced sweet and tangy flavor. I adjust the honey if I want it more or less sweet—it’s easy to tweak.
Can I prep this salad ahead?
Absolutely. I prep all the components in advance and store them separately. I assemble just before eating to keep the greens crisp.
What greens work best?
I like using a mix of romaine and arugula for both crunch and peppery flavor, but any sturdy leafy greens will do.
What can I serve this with?
It’s a full meal on its own, but sometimes I pair it with a slice of crusty bread or a light soup for a little something extra.
Conclusion
Honey Mustard Chicken Cobb Salad is one of those meals I keep coming back to. It’s fresh, filling, and full of bold, balanced flavor. Whether I’m meal-prepping for the week or throwing together a quick dinner, this salad never disappoints—and that honey mustard dressing is always a standout.
Print
Honey Mustard Chicken Cobb Salad
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Honey Mustard Chicken Cobb Salad is a hearty, vibrant meal-in-a-bowl packed with grilled chicken, creamy avocado, hard-boiled eggs, and crisp veggies, all drizzled with a bold homemade honey mustard dressing.
Ingredients
- For the salad:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, halved or sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese or feta crumbles (optional)
- For the honey mustard dressing:
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour half the dressing over chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill or pan-sear chicken over medium heat for 5–7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.
- While chicken cooks, prepare salad ingredients: wash greens, slice avocado, boil and peel eggs, and cut tomatoes and onion.
- Arrange salad greens on a platter or large bowl. Top with sliced chicken, eggs, tomatoes, onion, avocado, and cheese.
- Drizzle with remaining honey mustard dressing or serve it on the side.
Notes
- Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for a quicker version.
- Swap chicken for grilled shrimp or tofu for dietary preferences.
- Store dressing separately and shake well before using.
- Prep components ahead, but assemble just before serving to keep everything crisp.
- Add croutons, roasted chickpeas, or toasted nuts for extra crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad with dressing
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
