How do you make pasta salad not soggy?

The key to cooking pasta that has a better texture when served cool is to overcook it by about two to three minutes beyond the al dente stage , so that it's very soft (but not mushy) throughout. That way, once cooled down under cold running water, it will firm up just enough to regain that desirable al dente texture.

How long does cold pasta salad last in the fridge?

The Basic Rules If you have the base of a pasta salad with just some pasta, greens, and a light dressing, it can last 3-5 days in the fridge. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. You could also put in some additions for days, creating a wide variety of pasta salads.

How to prevent pasta salad from drying out?

You may have heard of another method to prevent pasta salad from drying out — adding oil to the noodles before adding the dressing. This works because oil can act as a barrier that prevents the noodles from soaking up a lot of liquid.

Should I rinse pasta for cold pasta salad?

If you're making a dish that will be served chilled or at room temp—think cold soba, rice noodles, pasta salad— you do want to rinse so that you get toothsome (sorry) individual strands rather than one big gummy clump . Certain types of noodles benefit from a rinse in almost all applications.

Is pasta salad better made the day before?

While it will technically stay “good” for a couple days, it's best to make pasta salad the day of or the day before you plan to eat it to retain the best texture and flavor from both the pasta and any mix-ins, especially delicate ones like cherry tomatoes or soft herbs.

What pastas to avoid?

You should avoid pasta made from refined flour if you are looking to achieve weight loss goals.

Cold Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (2024)

Published by Jessica on June 3, 2021

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Chicken Pasta Salad is a lovely summer meal filled with tender chicken, apples, grapes, celery & pecans. Our Pasta Salad recipe is topped with a light dressing, grapes & chopped pecans.

Chicken Pasta Salad has many variations that I’ve been making for years! It’s one of my favorites once the weather warms up and the picnics begin. It’s easy to make and incredibly versatile. I like to serve it for dinner, then love eating leftovers for lunch the next day.

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Chicken Salad with Pasta

Chicken pasta salad is one of the best cold pasta salad recipes to enjoy during summer or warm nights. The combination of chicken, pasta, and fruit with the creamy dressing is delicious. The grapes add a burst of fresh sweetness to round out the flavors and everything pairs so well together that this chicken pasta salad with grapes is one everyone can enjoy.

Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

Pasta: I enjoy using 6 ounces (half a box) of bow tie pasta, but you can use other noodle varieties if desired.
Cooked chicken: Use 3 cups of cooked chicken to pack this salad with meat. Tip: this is a great way to use up leftover chicken or that rotisserie chicken in the fridge.
Red grapes: While you could use any grape variety, the red ones are a little more sweet and add a nice color to the bowl. We want 1 heaping cup of red grapes so that there’s plenty.

Celery: With two chopped stalks of celery, we can add crunchy and refreshing green bites throughout the pasta salad.
Apple: We want a diced apple (peeled or not peeled) to add more fruit and crunch to the dish. Use a sweet or a tart apple depending on how you want it to taste.
Pecans: Adding 1/3 cup of chopped pecans is a great way to get an earthy crunchy flavor. You can chop whole pecans yourself or buy them pre-chopped to save time.

Sour cream: Adding a tangy creaminess to the dish is 1/4 cup of sour cream.
Mayonnaise: With 1/4 cup of mayonnaise we can add more creaminess to the salad.
Seasonings: We want 1/4 teaspoon of all-purpose seasoning, a dash of onion powder, and salt and pepper can be added to taste.

How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad

Cook your pasta in salted water for 10 minutes.
Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water for several minutes to stop the cooking process.
In a large bowl, combine your cold pasta with the chicken, grapes, celery, and apple.
In another bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients for the dressing.
Top the pasta with the dressing and then toss to combine.
Serve salad chilled and keep your leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Chicken Pasta Salad is a lovely summer meal filled with tender chicken, apples, grapes, celery & pecans. Our Pasta Salad recipe is topped with a light dressing, grapes & chopped pecans.

4.75 from 4 votes

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Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Grape Pecan Chicken Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

6 oz Bow Tie pasta
3 cups cooked chicken diced
1 cup red grapes heaping
1/2 cup celery sliced
1 apple diced
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Pasta Salad Dressing

1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 tsp all-purpose seasoning
1/8 tsp onion powder
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water for several minutes, until pasta is cool. Spread out on paper towels and blot to absorb water.
Combine pasta, chicken, grapes, celery and apple in a large bowl.
Whisk together remaining ingredients for the dressing, then pour on top of salad and stir to combine. Serve chilled, topped with additional grapes & chopped pecans.

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Nutrition

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What do you put in a cold chicken pasta salad?

There are a wide variety of pasta salad recipes, but this one is a little different. It has a light, refreshing flavor and the combination of chicken and fruit is fantastic. It’s a hearty salad that can be served as lunch and dinner, although it’s perfect for a side dish as well. Feel free to add in pineapple tidbits, cooked chilled peas, cheddar cheese cubes or anything else you think sounds delicious!

Should pasta salad be served cold?

Pasta salads with mayonnaise should be stored in the fridge and served cold. Not only do they taste better cold, but you don’t want to risk any harmful bacteria growing!

How long is Chicken Pasta Salad with Mayo good for?

Pasta salad is good for 3-4 days if kept stored properly in the fridge. Freshest is best, so enjoy it as soon as you can for the best results.

Can I freeze leftover chicken salad pasta?

Because this pasta salad recipe contains mayo, it is highly recommended not to freeze as it will not be good once thawed.

Check out our other popular salad recipes:

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad
Fancy Fruit Salad
Orange Cream Fruit Salad
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Cranberry Jello Salad
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Creamy Orange Fruit Salad
Berries and Cream Salad
Cream Cheese Grape Salad
Berry Spinach Salad
Copycat KFC Coleslaw recipe
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Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad
Pizza Pasta Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad

Chicken Pasta Salad is a lovely summer meal filled with tender chicken, apples, grapes, celery & topped with a light dressing & chopped pecans. You’re going to love this simple and delicious pasta salad recipe!

More favorite recipes to try:

Best Ever Zucchini Bread Recipe
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ABOUT US

I began Butter, with a Side of Bread to delve deeper into my fascination with food! I love cooking easy, delicious recipes and trying out new products. Welcome and I hope you stick around!