Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

When that summer heat hits, there's truly nothing better than a backyard barbecue with friends and family. And no good barbecue is complete without a spread of food. While burgers and hot dogs are usually the stars of the shindig, there are also plenty of all-star sides that go so incredibly with the classics. Take this chicken pasta salad, for example. It's light, creamy, and the chicken and veggies make it a well-rounded dish. There's no doubt that this chicken pasta salad is substantial enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs well as a side with a burger or hotdog.

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating loves a good pasta salad recipe, and this one is no exception. "I love the combination of fresh crunchy salad with pasta and chicken," she raves. "The creamy dressing is delicious too!" Best of all, this salad comes together with little fuss, little hassle, and a whole lot of flavor — so let's jump right in.

For this recipe, you will need fusilli pasta, mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon, honey, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, chopped lettuce, a large cucumber, a yellow bell pepper, and fresh chopped basil.

Bring a salted pot of water to a boil and add in the pasta, cooking according to package instructions. If you don't want to use fusilli, Brookes notes that you can sub it for a different type of pasta.

Once the pasta is cooked and drained, run it under cold water to cool it down. Return it to the pot or pan, and drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil on top. Toss the pasta to coat it in the oil. Brookes notes that this is a special method, explaining that tossing the pasta in oil "helps keep it moist when you store it in the fridge after." After all, no one likes dry pasta.

In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, remaining tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and some salt to taste. This sauce has a smooth, creamy flavor that is super refreshing. 

Now, you will need a large mixing bowl. Add the pasta, chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, and the sauce mixture. Use a wooden spoon to mix all the ingredients together and you're almost ready to dig in! 

To finish things off, optionally top the pasta with fresh chopped basil. This pasta salad is wonderful and filling on its own, but Brookes provides a few additional serving suggestions. "It could be the main meal in itself or a side alongside other meats, grilled veggies, or eggs," she notes.

As for leftovers, they'll be good for up to two days in the fridge. And, thanks to Brookes' special method of tossing the pasta in oil, you can count on the pasta remaining fresh and moist during those two days!