Tasty Tangy Twist: Ina Garten’s Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe

Tender, juicy chicken meets a tangy mustard dressing in this classic Ina Garten mustard chicken salad recipe that promises to delight your taste buds.

The combination of crisp vegetables and perfectly seasoned protein creates a mouthwatering lunch option.

Fresh herbs add a vibrant touch to every forkful.

Creamy yet light, this salad balances richness with zesty flavors that dance across your palate.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to complement the others, resulting in a harmonious dish.

The simplicity of preparation belies the complex flavors waiting to be savored.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a salad that turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

What’s in Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender protein that forms the hearty base of the salad, select fresh, plump breasts for the most succulent texture.
• Tarragon: Aromatic herb that adds a delicate, slightly peppery flavor to complement the chicken's richness.

• Broccoli Florets: Crisp, nutrient-packed green vegetable that provides a satisfying crunch and vibrant color to the salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, juicy bursts of flavor that add brightness and a pop of color to the dish.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the salad together, choose a high-quality, rich variety for best results.
• Dijon Mustard, Whole-Grain Mustard: Bold, tangy condiments that create depth and complexity in the dressing.
• Tarragon Vinegar: Sharp, herbal vinegar that adds a subtle kick and helps balance the richness of the salad.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

Tools to Whip Up Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad

• Large sheet pan: Perfect for roasting chicken evenly and catching any drips.
• Large pot: Essential for boiling water and blanching broccoli.
• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking dressing and combining salad ingredients.
• Cutting board: Needed for dicing chicken and chopping herbs.
• Sharp chef's knife: Required for precise cutting of chicken and vegetables.
• Whisk: Great for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Tongs: Helpful for transferring broccoli between boiling water and ice bath.
• Colander: Useful for draining blanched broccoli.
• Ice bowl: Necessary for stopping broccoli cooking and maintaining color.

Quick Guide to Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad

• Chicken Preparation

Preheat oven and select quality chicken breasts. Season with simple herbs and olive oil, ensuring each piece gets delicious coating. Roast until golden and perfectly cooked, allowing meat to become tender and flavorful.

• Vegetable Selection

Choose fresh, crisp broccoli and vibrant cherry tomatoes. Quickly blanch broccoli to maintain bright green color and tender-crisp texture. Slice tomatoes into delicate halves that complement chicken’s richness.

• Creamy Mustard Blend

Create smooth, tangy dressing by combining creamy mayonnaise with zesty Dijon and whole-grain mustards. Add subtle hint of tarragon vinegar for sophisticated flavor profile that elevates entire dish.

• Salad Assembly

Gently mix warm roasted chicken with mustard dressing, allowing meat to absorb rich flavors. Carefully fold in blanched broccoli and tomato halves, creating beautiful color and texture contrast.

• Serving Suggestions

Allow salad to rest in refrigerator, letting ingredients mingle and develop deeper taste. Serve at comfortable room temperature, offering light sprinkle of seasoning to enhance overall experience.

How to Spice Up Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad

• Shred or slice the chicken instead of dicing for different mouthfeel and presentation variations.
• Swap chicken with grilled tofu, rotisserie chicken, or poached turkey breast for quick protein alternatives.
• Experiment with specialty mustards like whole-grain, honey mustard, or spicy brown mustard to transform the dressing's flavor profile.
• Replace broccoli with asparagus, green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts to add seasonal variety and unexpected crunch to the salad.

Ways to Serve Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this mustard chicken salad on a rustic wooden board with fresh herbs scattered on top for a stunning presentation that screams summer gathering.
• Texture Twist Technique: Add crunchy elements like toasted almonds or crispy croutons just before serving to provide a delightful contrast to the tender chicken and soft vegetables.
• Smart Side Partnerships: Pair with crusty sourdough bread, butter lettuce leaves, or a light white wine to complement the tangy mustard and herb flavors of the salad.
• Temperature Transition Tip: Let the salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully bloom and the dressing to soften slightly.

Proper Storage of Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad

• Maximize Meal Preparation: Prepare chicken and dressing up to 2 days ahead, storing separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and crisp texture.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep chicken salad chilled at 40°F or below, consuming within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety. Cover tightly to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Smart Portioning: Divide salad into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Separate wet ingredients from crisp components to prevent soggy broccoli and tomatoes.
• Freeze with Caution: Skip freezing this salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings tend to separate and lose creamy consistency when thawed. Fresh preparation ensures best taste and texture.

Zesty Ina Garten Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s mustard chicken salad delivers Mediterranean flavors with tender roasted chicken and zesty herb dressing. Crisp greens and tangy mustard create perfect harmony for diners seeking fresh, elegant meal options.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (3 lbs / 1.36 kg)
• 5 cups (1.18 l) broccoli florets, small
• 1 pint (473 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1½ cups (355 ml) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (118 ml) Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup (59 ml) whole-grain mustard
• 2 tbsps minced fresh tarragon leaves
• 2 tbsps tarragon vinegar
• Olive oil, good
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Roasting Chicken: Position chicken breasts on a baking sheet, massage with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast at 180°C / 350°F for 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74°C / 165°F.
2. Preparing Protein: Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes, then remove skin and bones. Slice meat into uniform bite-sized cubes.
3. Blanching Broccoli: Bring salted water to a rolling boil, create an adjacent ice bath. Submerge broccoli florets for 60 seconds, then immediately transfer to ice water to preserve color and texture.
4. Creating Dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, tarragon vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
5. Combining Ingredients: Fold warm chicken into dressing, ensuring even coating. Gently mix in fresh tarragon leaves, blanched broccoli, and halved cherry tomatoes.
6. Marinating and Serving: Refrigerate salad for 2-3 hours to develop flavors. Before serving, allow to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and adjust seasoning as needed.

Notes

• Roasting Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exactly 74°C / 165°F for perfect doneness and food safety.
• Mustard Harmony: Mix Dijon and whole-grain mustards for a complex, layered flavor profile that elevates the entire salad.
• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate salad for 2-3 hours to let ingredients meld and develop deeper, more integrated taste sensations.
• Temperature Balance: Allow salad to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften dressing and enhance overall flavor experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg