BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that combines the smoky flavor of chicken with the freshness of vegetables and the creaminess of a tangy dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch, this pasta salad is sure to become a favorite.
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Why This BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Is the Best
Fresh Vegetables: The addition of corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and green onions adds a burst of color and crunch.
Creamy Dressing: The barbecue-flavored dressing ties all the ingredients together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Versatile and Easy: This pasta salad is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, packing a picnic, or looking for a quick and easy lunch, this BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect choice. The combination of chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing makes it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
Ingredient Notes
Chicken breasts: The main protein, providing a hearty and savory component to the salad.
Pasta shells: The base of the salad, adds texture and acts as a canvas to hold the other flavors.
BBQ sauce: Adds a tangy, smoky flavor that ties the ingredients together.
Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy dressing that balances the BBQ sauce, adding richness to the dish.
Red and orange bell peppers: Add sweetness and crunch, complementing the other ingredients.
Corn and black beans: Provide extra texture and flavor, making the salad more filling and colorful.
Cilantro: Adds freshness and a subtle citrusy note, brightening up the dish.
Tips for Making the Best BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente to ensure it holds up well in the salad.
Chill Before Serving: For the best flavor, chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Customize to Your Taste: Feel free to add your favorite ingredients, such as avocado, cheese, or different types of beans.
Serving Suggestions
As a Main Dish: Serve this pasta salad as a main dish for a light and satisfying meal.
As a Side Dish: Pair it with grilled meats or sandwiches for a complete meal.
For Picnics and Potlucks: This pasta salad is perfect for picnics and potlucks, as it can be made ahead and served cold.
With Fresh Bread: Serve with a side of fresh bread or rolls for a complete meal.
A Must Try
There’s nothing quite like the taste of BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad. This dish is the perfect way to treat yourself or your loved ones to something special. Smoky, creamy, and irresistibly delicious, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- 1 red onion chopped
- 1/2 jalapeno peppers de-seeded de-veined and minced
- 1 pound small pasta shells
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp coarse ground pepper
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 orange bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 cup corn
- 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onions and jalapeños. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they soften and become fragrant.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of water, following the package directions but stopping one minute shy of the suggested time. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl with the dressing. Add the sautéed onions and jalapeños, along with chopped bell peppers, corn, black beans, and cilantro. Toss everything together until well combined, and serve.
Notes
Pin this delicious recipe on Pinterest to save and share with your foodie friends!
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad