BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
This BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad is a flavorful and refreshing dish combining tender shredded grilled chicken, cooked pasta, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a creamy BBQ yogurt dressing. Perfect for a hearty lunch, side dish, or light dinner, this salad is easy to prepare and served chilled, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups cooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1 ½ cups shredded grilled chicken
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons light mayo (optional, for added creaminess)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package instructions. Once al dente, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down quickly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, BBQ sauce, and light mayo (if using) until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red onion, celery, and cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
- Add the dressing: Pour the BBQ dressing over the salad and mix until everything is evenly coated. Make sure the pasta and veggies are well covered for the best flavor in every bite.
- Chill before serving: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to fully chill.
- Serve and enjoy: Give the salad a final stir before serving. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired, and serve it chilled as a hearty lunch, side dish, or light dinner.
Notes
- To ensure the pasta doesn’t stick together, rinse it under cold water immediately after cooking.
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- You can substitute grilled chicken with rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Make sure to chill the salad for at least 30 minutes; the flavors improve significantly after resting.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: BBQ chicken pasta salad, pasta salad, chicken salad, BBQ recipes, healthy pasta salad, cold pasta salad
Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/bbq-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe/
