Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad recipe is a creamy and refreshing dish, which is made with shredded rotisserie chicken and sweet red grapes. It’s the perfect choice for a potluck or easy lunch, ready in about 25 minutes, plus chilling time.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
- 1 lb. penne pasta
- 1 cup plain yogurt (not Greek)
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. grainy dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups red grapes, halved
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup fresh dill
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- Butter lettuce, to serve
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook for one minute longer than the package directions suggest. Drain the pasta, rinse thoroughly with cold water to cool it down, and let it drain again.
- Mix the dressing: In a large serving bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, mayonnaise, grainy mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until smooth.
- Combine and chill: To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, chopped celery, green onions, halved grapes, parsley, and dill. Fold everything together gently until well combined. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds over the top of the salad. Serve on a bed of butter lettuce leaves, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent the pasta from getting mushy? The recipe cleverly advises cooking the pasta one minute longer than the package directions and then rinsing it with cold water. This stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch, which helps keep the pasta from clumping and getting mushy in the creamy dressing.
- Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, absolutely. While penne works well, other short pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, or bow ties (farfalle) are also excellent choices as their ridges and curves are great for holding onto the creamy dressing.
- How long will this pasta salad last? Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this pasta salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. The flavors will even meld and become richer overnight.
- Can I make this ahead of time? This is a perfect make-ahead dish! For the best texture, wait to add the toasted almonds until just before serving to ensure they stay crunchy.
What To Serve With This Chicken Pasta Salad
This salad is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with other dishes.
- Crusty garlic bread or a fresh baguette
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- A platter of fresh fruit
- A tall glass of iced tea or lemonade
How To Store Chicken Pasta Salad
- Refrigerate: Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If the salad seems a little dry after a day or two (pasta tends to absorb the dressing), you can refresh it by stirring in a spoonful of yogurt or mayonnaise.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Sugar: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of plain yogurt?
The recipe specifies plain yogurt because it has a milder, less tangy flavor and a thinner consistency that works well for the dressing. Greek yogurt is much thicker and tangier, which would significantly change the taste and texture. If you only have Greek yogurt, you may need to thin it with a little milk.
What other fruits or nuts can I add?
Diced apples would be a great substitute for grapes for a crunchy, tart flavor. For nuts, toasted pecans or walnuts would also be delicious alternatives to almonds.
Is rotisserie chicken the best option?
Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver and adds a lot of flavor. However, you can use any cooked chicken you have on hand, such as leftover grilled or baked chicken breasts.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Description
A hearty and creamy pasta salad loaded with tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and fresh herbs in a tangy yogurt and mayonnaise dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions plus one minute; drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and seasonings.
- Add the cooled pasta, chicken, grapes, celery, green onions, and fresh herbs to the dressing.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Top with toasted almonds just before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eRinsing the pasta in cold water is crucial to stop the cooking process and prevent a gummy texture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor best results, let the salad chill for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t add the almonds until serving to keep them from getting soft.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eTaste and adjust salt and pepper after the salad has chilled, as cold temperatures can dull flavors.u003c/liu003e
