Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender glazed chicken with pasta, fresh vegetables, and smoky creamy dressing

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini or penne and cook 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 pepper in a bowl. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chicken mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and glazed. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
04 - Add the cooled pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, corn, red bell pepper, celery, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed to reach desired flavor balance.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop.
07 - Transfer to a serving dish and top with fresh chopped chives or parsley if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that tastes like you fussed for hours, but your secret is safe with me.
  • The smoky-sweet-creamy balance somehow makes everyone ask for the recipe, even the picky eaters.
  • You can make it the morning of your gathering and let it get even better as it sits.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the pasta properly—warm pasta will wilt the vegetables and the dressing will separate from the heat.
  • Make this at least an hour ahead if you can; pasta salad is one of those rare dishes that actually improves as it sits.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store if you're pressed for time—the quality is often excellent and it saves you thirty minutes.
  • Toast your smoked paprika gently in a dry skillet before whisking it into the dressing; it deepens the flavor in a way that feels almost like a secret.
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