Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Creamy smoky honey BBQ chicken with crisp vegetables and pasta in a rich dressing

# What You’ll 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 thawed
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

# Method:

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 - Toss 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 mixing 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 cooled pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, corn, red bell pepper, celery, and red onion to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat all components evenly.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust salt, pepper, and other seasonings as needed for optimal flavor balance.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop and meld together.
07 - Top with chopped fresh chives or parsley immediately before serving if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It tastes even better the next day once the flavors have mingled and settled into every bite.
  • You can prep everything in advance, making it the ultimate stress-free dish for entertaining.
  • The smoky-sweet balance feels restaurant-quality but comes together in less than an hour.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the pasta completely—warm pasta absorbs dressing unevenly and turns mushy instead of tender and distinct.
  • The dressing needs that apple cider vinegar; without it, the salad tastes rich and flat by hour two, but with it, it stays bright all day.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store—it saves you cooking time and the slightly smoky flavor it already has makes the dish taste even more developed.
  • Taste the dressing before you add the pasta; the dressing is your chance to get the seasoning exactly right because the pasta itself is pretty neutral.
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