Honey Mustard Hen Pasta Salad (The Pasta Salad of the Summer season)

This Honey Mustard Hen Pasta Salad is the pasta salad of the summer time.

It’s all the time a success at each BBQ, potluck, and yard get-together I am going to. It’s hearty, contemporary, and completely loaded with taste in each chunk.

We’re speaking juicy grilled rooster that’s been marinated in a candy and tangy honey mustard sauce, crispy bacon, candy corn, tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy honey mustard dressing that pulls every little thing collectively. It’s that excellent steadiness of smoky, candy, tangy, and savory.

It’s filling, satisfying, and nonetheless feels shiny and summery, which is strictly what I need when it’s heat exterior and I don’t need to spend so much of time within the kitchen. It’s every little thing you need in a summer time pasta salad.

It’s additionally a kind of dependable recipes you possibly can depend on for absolutely anything…summer time events, meal prep, or simple weeknight dinners. Plus, it’s packable…take it to the seashore, pool, on a picnic, or to work for a simple lunch!

Each single time I make it, it will get rave critiques! Give it a do this summer time!

Elements (with Useful Notes)

For the Hen

• Boneless skinless rooster breasts: Pounding or butterflying them helps them cook dinner shortly and evenly, and retains them juicy.
• Olive oil: Helps the marinade coat the rooster and prevents it from drying out on the grill.
• Dijon mustard: Provides tang and depth and is the bottom of that signature honey mustard taste.
• Honey: Balances the acidity of the mustard and helps create caramelization when grilled.
• Recent lemon juice: Brightens the marinade and retains the flavour contemporary, not heavy.
• Garlic: Provides savory depth that pairs completely with the honey mustard.
• Paprika: Brings a refined smokiness and shade to the rooster.
• Kosher salt + purple pepper flakes: Seasoning and somewhat warmth to steadiness the sweetness.

For the Dressing

• Plain Greek yogurt: Makes the dressing creamy with a lightweight, tangy base (and somewhat protein increase).
• Olive oil: Provides richness and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Dijon mustard + stone floor mustard: A mixture offers you each easy tang and texture.
• Honey: Softens the acidity and ties the dressing again to the rooster marinade.
• Apple cider vinegar: Provides brightness and somewhat chunk.
• Recent lemon juice: Retains the dressing contemporary and zippy.
• Garlic: Just a little goes a great distance for savory steadiness.

For the Salad

• Brief-cut pasta (fusilli, farfalle, penne, cavatappi): Small pasta works finest in pasta salad. Shapes with ridges or curves maintain onto the dressing finest.
• Cooked bacon: Provides crunch, smokiness, and saltiness.
• Candy corn: Grilling or charring it brings out pure sweetness and provides depth.
• Grape tomatoes: Juicy bursts of freshness all through the salad.
• Arugula: Provides a peppery chunk that balances the richness of the dressing and bacon.
• White cheddar cheese: Gentle, creamy, and barely sharp for distinction.
• Crimson onion: Provides crunch and sharp taste; soak in chilly water should you want a milder chunk.

How one can Retailer

Retailer leftover pasta salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3–4 days. The flavors really deepen because it sits, however the arugula will soften over time. For those who’re planning forward, you possibly can retailer the dressing individually and toss simply earlier than serving for the freshest texture.

Pasta

Honey Mustard Hen Pasta Salad

A hearty pasta salad with grilled honey mustard rooster, crispy bacon, candy corn, and a creamy honey mustard dressing—excellent for summer time meals, potlucks, and meal prep.

For the rooster:

• 1 lb boneless skinless rooster breasts, pounded or butterflied to ½ inch thickness
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon contemporary lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Sprint of crushed purple pepper flakes

For the dressing:

• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon stone floor mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon contemporary lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to style

For the salad:

• 1 lb short-cut pasta, fuisilli, farfalle, cavatappi
• 6 strips cooked bacon, chopped
• 2 ears candy corn, shucked
• 1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes
• 3 cups arugula
• 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, small cube (1/4-inch cubes)
• 1/3 cup diced purple onion
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to style

• Marinate the rooster: In a medium bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and purple pepper flakes. Add the rooster and toss to coat. Let marinate for half-hour (or as much as 4 hours within the fridge).

• Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk collectively Greek yogurt, olive oil, Dijon mustard, stone floor mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper till easy. Refrigerate till prepared to make use of.

• Cook dinner the pasta: Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook dinner pasta in response to bundle instructions till al dente. Drain, rinse with chilly water, and put aside to chill.

• Grill the rooster and corn: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high warmth and flippantly oil the grates. Grill the rooster for 4–5 minutes per aspect, or till cooked via. Switch to a plate and let relaxation, then lower into bite-size items. Grill the corn, turning sometimes, till flippantly charred on all sides. Let cool barely, then lower the kernels off the cob.

• Assemble the salad: In a big bowl, mix the cooled pasta, grilled rooster, grilled corn, bacon, tomatoes, arugula, cheddar cheese, and purple onion.

• Gown and serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss till effectively coated. Season with salt and black pepper, to style. Serve instantly or chill till able to serve.

• You possibly can marinate the rooster for as much as 4 hours for much more taste.
• Make the dressing forward of time and preserve refrigerated till prepared to make use of.
• Cook dinner the pasta simply to al dente so it holds up effectively within the salad.
• Rinse the pasta with chilly water after cooking to cease the cooking course of and funky it down shortly.
• Let the rooster relaxation earlier than slicing so the juices keep within the meat.
• Grill the corn till flippantly charred for the very best taste.
• Permit the rooster and corn to chill barely earlier than assembling the salad.
• Add the arugula simply earlier than serving so it stays contemporary and doesn’t wilt.
• Style and season with further salt and black pepper earlier than serving, if wanted.
• If making forward, save somewhat further dressing to stir in earlier than serving because the pasta will take up some because it sits.

Energy: 497kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 27g, Fats: 18g, Saturated Fats: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 10g, Ldl cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 543mg, Potassium: 590mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 684IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 152mg, Iron: 2mg

Key phrases bacon, rooster, corn, honey mustard, pasta, pasta salad

Have you ever tried this recipe?

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Variations

• No bacon model: Skip the bacon! The salad will nonetheless have loads of taste!
• Totally different cheese: Strive cheddar, pepper jack, or gouda as an alternative of white cheddar.
• Additional veggies: Add cucumbers, avocado, or roasted purple peppers.
• Spicy kick: Add further purple pepper flakes or a spoonful of scorching honey to the dressing.
• No grill choice: Use rotisserie rooster and frozen corn sautéed in a skillet.

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