Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, pasta, and a creamy dressing to create a satisfying and refreshing meal. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch, this pasta salad is sure to become a favorite.
Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad
Why This Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad Is the Best
Rich and Creamy Dressing: The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of ranch seasoning creates a rich and flavorful dressing that coats every bite.
Tender Chicken: Using cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken ensures the chicken is tender and flavorful.
Fresh Vegetables: Adding fresh vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and green onions adds a burst of color and crunch.
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 Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect choice. The combination of creamy dressing, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables makes it a crowd-pleaser everyone will love.
Ingredient Notes
Mayonnaise: The creamy base that holds everything together, giving the salad its rich texture and flavor.
Lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy freshness that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise.
Relish: Provides a sweet or tangy flavor depending on your choice of sweet or dill, adding complexity to the salad.
Elbow macaroni: A classic pasta choice that absorbs the creamy dressing; feel free to experiment with different shapes like rotini or orecchiette for variety.
Cooked chicken breast: Adds protein and a hearty, savory flavor to the salad.
Celery: Brings a fresh, crunchy texture, balancing the creaminess of the dressing.
Tips for Making the Best Creamy 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 bacon, avocado, or different types of cheese.
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 Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad. This dish is the perfect way to treat yourself or your loved ones to something special. Creamy, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp relish sweet or dill both work
- 1 pound elbow macaroni cooked and drained ( For a fun twist, swap out the traditional elbow macaroni with rotini, orzo, orecchiette, or any other small pasta you have available. This can give your dish a new texture while still holding onto that delicious flavor.)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
- 4 stalks celery chopped
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and relish in a bowl, stirring until smooth.
- Add the pasta, celery, and chicken, tossing everything together until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
To prevent Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad from spoiling, avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Storage Instructions:
Store the Chicken Pasta Salad in an airtight container or covered dish in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 3-5 days. Freezing Advice:
The mayo-based dressing doesn’t freeze well, so if you still have leftovers after 5 days, it’s best to make a fresh batch instead of freezing.
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Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad