Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable Page)

Tender honey-BBQ chicken with pasta, fresh vegetables, and smoky creamy dressing—perfect for potlucks and summer gatherings.

# 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
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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely. 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 5–7 minutes until heated through and glazed. Allow to cool.
03 - In a large 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 the dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
06 - Top with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
  • The smoky-sweet glaze on the chicken keeps people reaching for seconds, even those who claim they don't eat salads.
  • You can prep everything ahead and simply toss it together minutes before serving, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings.
02 -
  • Always cool your pasta and chicken completely before mixing with the dressing, or the heat will make everything oily and separate.
  • Chill it for at least thirty minutes before serving—this is when the magic happens and the flavors marry together into something cohesive.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken and you've cut your active cooking time in half while gaining incredible flavor and juiciness.
  • Make the dressing separately and taste it before combining with the salad—this way you can adjust the smoky-sweet balance to your exact preference.
Go Back