Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender honey-BBQ chicken with pasta, crisp vegetables, and creamy smoky dressing ideal for summer potlucks.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
02 - 1/3 cup honey
03 - 1/3 cup smoky BBQ sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

08 - 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or thawed
11 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
12 - 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
13 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

→ Dressing

14 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
15 - 1/4 cup sour cream
16 - 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
17 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
19 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

21 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, combine chicken chunks with honey, BBQ sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sauté in a skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and glazed. Allow to cool completely.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add cooled pasta, glazed chicken, cherry tomatoes, corn, red bell pepper, celery, and red onion to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop.
07 - Garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired and serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes impressive enough for company but comes together in less than an hour, giving you actual free time before guests arrive.
  • The smoky-sweet chicken flavor is addictive, and you can make it ahead, which means one less thing to worry about during the meal.
  • It feeds a crowd without requiring a complicated technique or hard-to-find ingredients.
02 -
  • Cool your pasta completely in cold water before mixing it with the dressing, or the heat will make the mayo separate and look oily—I learned this the hard way at a family dinner.
  • Don't add the vegetables until you're ready to chill or serve, because tomatoes and onions will release water and make the dressing watery if they sit too long.
03 -
  • Save a little pasta water before you drain it—if your salad seems dry after sitting a few hours, splash in a tablespoon or two mixed with a bit of vinegar to refresh the dressing without watering it down.
  • If you're using canned corn, rinse it well under cold water to remove that starchy liquid, and your salad will taste fresher and brighter.
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