Description
Hawaiian-inspired tropical chicken pasta salad blends sweet and tangy flavors with grilled chicken, colorful peppers, and juicy pineapple. Creamy coconut dressing and fresh herbs create a refreshing island-style meal you’ll crave for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Tropical Chicken Pasta Salad
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) rotini pasta
- 2 cups (480 grams) chicken, cooked and diced
- 1 cup (150 grams) grapes, halved
- 1 cup (100 grams) celery, diced
Fruit Components:
- 1 15 ounces (425 grams) can pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 15 ounces (425 grams) can mandarin oranges, drained
- ½ cup (75 grams) dried cranberries
Garnish and Texture Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (30 grams) slivered almonds
- ¼ cup (25 grams) green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Bon Appetit seasoning, sugar, celery salt, onion powder, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended. Cover and refrigerate the dressing to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare rotini pasta according to package instructions, cooking until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and cool pasta quickly.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced or shredded chicken, sweet pineapple tidbits, tangy mandarin orange segments, halved grapes, crunchy slivered almonds, thinly sliced green onions, finely chopped celery, and tart dried cranberries.
- Pour chilled dressing over the pasta mixture, gently folding ingredients to ensure even coating without breaking delicate components.
- Transfer to serving dish and garnish with additional almonds or herbs if desired. Serve chilled for optimal flavor and texture, preferably within 1-2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness.
Notes
- This vibrant pasta salad bursts with tropical flavors, blending sweet and savory ingredients in one delightful dish.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance the melding of flavors and create a refreshing summer meal.
- Customize the recipe by swapping fresh grapes with dried fruits or adding extra crunch with toasted nuts.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time for a quick and easy make-ahead meal perfect for picnics or potlucks.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, keeping the pasta and fruits crisp and tasty.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise in the dressing to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg