Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Print version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken tossed with al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, and creamy smoky dressing—ideal for potlucks and picnics.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

07 - 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
10 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
12 - 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
13 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

14 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
15 - 1/4 cup sour cream
16 - 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce
17 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
18 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
19 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
20 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
03 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into bite-sized cubes and toss with 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce until evenly coated. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, corn, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and parsley.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, honey BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
06 - Add BBQ chicken chunks and dressing to the pasta mixture. Gently fold everything together until well combined and evenly coated.
07 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like the best kind of backyard cooking without requiring you to actually stand over a grill.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so you're actually relaxed when guests arrive instead of stressed in the kitchen.
  • The combination of smoky, sweet, and creamy hits every flavor note your taste buds have been craving.
02 -
  • Rinsing the hot pasta under cold water stops the cooking process completely, which is crucial because warm pasta will continue to soften and turn mushy if you skip this step.
  • The refrigeration hour isn't lazy cooking—it's when the dressing penetrates the pasta and the flavors actually meld together into something greater than their individual parts.
03 -
  • Make the dressing separately in a jar and shake it up just before serving—if it sits too long with the pasta, the dressing gets absorbed and the salad dries out.
  • Cut your vegetables smaller than you think you need to; smaller pieces distribute throughout the salad and create better bites instead of leaving you with mouthfuls of just pasta.
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