Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Square image of chicken salad recipes without mayonnaise.

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Without Mayo

Casey Rooney
This honey mustard chicken salad skips the mayo but keeps all the flavor! It’s fresh, tangy, a little sweet, and loaded with crunchy veggies, grapes, walnuts, and even a little peppery arugula. Also, no mayo means it's perfect for picnics and outdoor parties!
4.59 from 41 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 513 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the chicken salad

  • 4 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded about 2 chicken breasts (See Note 1)
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped can substitute pecans, almonds, or cashews
  • 1 cup red grapes, halved or quartered
  • 1/2 cup baby arugula, finely chopped
  • freshly ground black pepper (optional)

For the honey mustard vinaigrette

  • 4 tbsp. dijon mustard
  • 4 tbsp. honey
  • 4 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt/kosher salt (more to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Make the vinaigrette dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients: dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Set aside.
  • Combine and toss: In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, onion, grapes, and walnuts. Add the dressing and toss gently until the chicken is well-coated. Carefully fold in the arugula.
  • Finish: If possible, chill at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to marry (optional).

Notes

Note 1: Leftover rotisserie chicken breast works great. If you don’t want to use a rotisserie chicken. You can cook 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts  in the air fryer or on the stovetop. Cool the chicken completely, then dice or shred. 
For this recipe, I cooked two chicken breasts in a pan, seasoned with salt and pepper. After it was cool, I diced it into small pieces. I prefer this way for the most flavorful chicken!
How to shred you chicken
  1. Mixer: Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer! It takes about 3-4 minutes on medium speed to get the chicken finely shredded. You can do less time if you want larger pieces.
  2.  Chopping: Just use a good old fashioned knife and chop chicken into small pieces.
  3. By hand: Just use your clean hands to tear the chicken breasts into thing strips. This works well with rotisserie chicken when it's still a bit warm. 
 
Nutrition information is only an estimate. Info is based on the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator.
Save this recipe form

💌 Save to your inbox!

Enter your email and send this recipe straight to your inbox. As a bonus, you'll receive more easy recipes every week!

Nutrition

Calories: 513kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 41.6gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 4.8gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 278mgPotassium: 359mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18.2gCalcium: 38mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!