Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Tender glazed chicken with creamy smoky dressing and colorful vegetables in a satisfying chilled pasta dish perfect for sharing.

# What You Need:

→ 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 frozen
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

# Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water 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 black pepper. Sauté in a skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and glazed. Allow to cool completely.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add the cooled pasta, glazed chicken, cherry tomatoes, corn, red bell pepper, celery, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust salt, pepper, and other seasonings as needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop.
07 - Top with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You can prep it hours ahead, which means you're actually relaxing at the party instead of cooking in someone else's kitchen.
  • The smoky-sweet flavor combo feels fancy enough for a dinner party but tastes like pure comfort food.
  • Even people who claim they don't like salad somehow end up going back for thirds.
02 -
  • Don't add the dressing until the pasta is completely cooled, or you'll end up with a warm, thin, separated mess that tastes wrong.
  • If you make this the night before, it gets better as it sits because the flavors mingle, but add any fresh herbs right before serving so they stay bright.
03 -
  • Buy smoked paprika in bulk from a spice shop instead of the grocery store—it costs less and tastes fresher, and you'll use it constantly once you start.
  • Taste the dressing before you add the pasta and vegetables because it's your last chance to adjust the seasoning without it being diluted.
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