Chicken Cashew Pasta Salad

Here’s a fresh, creamy-crunchy Chicken Cashew Pasta Salad that’s hearty enough for a meal and perfect for potlucks or meal prep. 🥗🍗🥜

Chicken Cashew Pasta Salad

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Salad

• 12 oz pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded (rotisserie works great)

• 1 cup roasted cashews (lightly salted)

• 1 cup red grapes, halved or 1 cup mandarin oranges

• 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

• Optional: chopped parsley or green onions

Creamy Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1–2 tbsp honey (to taste)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta

   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.

2. Mix salad base

   • In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, cashews, grapes (or mandarins), celery, onion, and herbs.

3. Make dressing

   • Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Combine

   • Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.

5. Chill

   • Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Extra crunch: Add sliced almonds or water chestnuts.

• Asian-inspired twist: Replace Dijon with soy sauce and add sesame oil + shredded cabbage.

• Healthier version: Use whole-wheat pasta and light mayo.

• Make-ahead: Add cashews just before serving to keep them crunchy.