This is the kind of chicken salad that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. A sharp, lightly sweet honey mustard dressing ties together crisp celery, fresh herbs, and chicken, simple ingredients done with intention. It gets even better after a little time in the fridge, making it perfect for a quick lunch you look forward to.

Ingredients

The Chicken Salad

• 3 cups cooked chicken (poached, roasted, or rotisserie, cooled and chopped or shredded)
• ¼ cup red onion, tiny dice
• ½ cup celery, tiny dice
• ¼–½ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, tarragon, or oregano)
• Optional: ¼ cup chopped pickles

For the Honey Mustard Dressing

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard (Maille or another high-quality brand)
• 1½–2 tbsp honey (preferably local)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Optional Add-Ins (to make it a full meal)

• ½–1 cup cooked quinoa
• Handful of greens for serving

Instructions

1. Prep the chickenMake sure your chicken is fully cooled before mixing. Chop or shred, depending on the texture you want. Smaller pieces will give you a more cohesive salad, larger pieces will feel a little more rustic.Using a rotisserie chicken here is a great time hack and brings in an extra layer of flavor. Just make sure you’re getting it from a place you trust, ideally an organic, well-sourced bird.
2. Build the baseIn a large bowl, combine the chicken, red onion, celery, herbs, and pickles if using. Keep everything in a small, even dice so each bite feels balanced.
3. Make the honey mustard dressingIn a small bowl, whisk together Dijon, honey, and vinegar. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until smooth and lightly emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bring it togetherPour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold until everything is evenly coated.
5. Let it sitAllow the salad to sit for about 10–15 minutes before serving so the flavors can come together.
6. Finish and serveTaste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve as is, over greens, or with quinoa folded in for something more substantial.

Notes and tips

• A good Dijon and honey really carry this, quality matters here
• Tiny dice on the onion and celery keep the texture clean and intentional
• This is a great place to use whatever herbs you have on hand
• Adding quinoa turns this into a complete, balanced meal
• Like most chicken salads, it gets even better after a little time in the fridge