Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender honey BBQ chicken tossed with al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, and creamy smoky dressing.

# Components:

→ 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, frozen, or canned and drained
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 to 6 minutes per side, or 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, bell pepper, celery, red onion, and parsley.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
06 - Add the BBQ chicken chunks and dressing to the pasta mixture. Gently fold everything together until well combined and evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Serve chilled, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of honey and BBQ smoke creates a flavor that somehow feels both comforting and exciting at the same time.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • It tastes better the next day, so meal prep suddenly becomes your secret weapon.
02 -
  • Never skip the cooling step for the pasta—warm pasta breaks down vegetables and dilutes your dressing, which ruins the whole balance you worked to create.
  • The dressing thickens slightly as it sits in the fridge, so if it seems a little loose when you first fold everything together, resist the urge to add more mayo.
03 -
  • Pat your pasta completely dry after rinsing, because excess water in the bowl dilutes your dressing and makes everything taste watered down.
  • Make the dressing while the pasta cooks, so you're not scrambling at the end and everything can come together smoothly.
Return