Best 8 Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey into the realm of Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad, a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and refreshing flavors. This delectable dish boasts tender chicken, succulent apricots, vibrant bell peppers, crisp celery, and a symphony of herbs, all enveloped in a creamy apricot dressing. Each forkful promises a delightful dance of textures and flavors, leaving you craving more.

This culinary masterpiece is not just one recipe, but a collection of diverse variations, each offering a unique twist on the classic. From the simplicity of the classic Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad to the tantalizing spiciness of the Sriracha Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad, and the tangy zest of the Lemon Herb Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad, this article caters to every palate.

Indulge in the classic Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad, a timeless recipe that showcases the perfect balance of flavors. Savor the harmony of sweet apricots, savory chicken, and crisp vegetables, all coated in a creamy apricot dressing. For a touch of heat, embark on a culinary adventure with the Sriracha Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad. This recipe infuses the classic dish with a spicy kick, sure to ignite your taste buds.

If you prefer a lighter and brighter flavor profile, the Lemon Herb Apricot Chicken Pasta Salad is your perfect match. This variation bursts with citrusy freshness, thanks to the addition of zesty lemon and aromatic herbs. With three distinct recipes, this article offers a versatile collection of Apricot Chicken Pasta Salads, ensuring there's something for everyone to relish.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

APRICOT CHICKEN PASTA



Apricot Chicken Pasta image

"To come up with this pasta dish, I combined two of my husband's favorite things-apricots and chicken," says Elaine Sweet of Dallas, Texas. "It's not only delicious but a snap to prepare, too."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/4 cup dried apricots, cut into thin strips
4-1/2 teaspoons sherry or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked bow tie pasta
1/4 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2-1/4 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 green onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring apricots and sherry to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes or until apricots are tender. Cool. , Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute mushrooms in oil until tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer. Reduce heat to medium. Add the chicken, cream and soy sauce; cook and stir for 5 minutes. , Remove from the heat. Stir in the cheese, almonds, onion, salt, pepper and apricots. Drain pasta; toss with chicken mixture.

Nutrition Facts :

ALMOND-APRICOT CHICKEN SALAD



Almond-Apricot Chicken Salad image

Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. -Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 package (8 ounces) spiral pasta
1 package (6 ounces) dried apricots, thinly sliced
3 cups coarsely chopped fresh broccoli
2-1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon dried savory
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding apricots during the last 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; place in a large bowl. Add broccoli, chicken, onions and celery. , In a small bowl, combine the next eight ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and chill until serving; fold in almonds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 24g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 52mg cholesterol, Sodium 524mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

WARM APRICOT CHICKEN SALAD



Warm Apricot Chicken Salad image

This colorful salad is topped with marinated sauteed chicken. It's hearty, refreshing and nutritious. Even our kids like the sweet and tangy flavor.-Carolyn Popwell, Lacey, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
6 fresh apricots, sliced
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/2 pound fresh spinach, stems removed
1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, marmalade and soy sauce. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. , Meanwhile, toss apricots and orange zest. Place spinach on a serving platter or four salad plates; top with apricots. In a skillet, saute red pepper and chicken mixture in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from heat; stir in salad dressing. Spoon over spinach and apricots; sprinkle with almonds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 343 calories, Fat 18g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 529mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHICKEN SALAD WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS SANDWICH



Chicken Salad with Apricots and Almonds Sandwich image

Upgrade chicken salad with dried apricots for a little sweetness and toasted almonds for crunch in our easy recipe.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Yield 2 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup 2 percent Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced chives
2 tablespoon dried apricots
2 tablespoons chopped almonds, toasted
4 slices seeded wheat bread, toasted
4 leaves lettuce

Steps:

  • Make the chicken salad: Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, season chicken with salt and pepper. When water boils, reduce heat, add chicken, and simmer until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and let cool. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces. In a bowl, combine yogurt, mustard, chives, apricots, and almonds. Stir in chicken and season with salt and pepper.
  • Divide the lettuce and chicken mixture between two slices toast. Top each with remaining slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 241 g, Cholesterol 24 g, Fat 6 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 325 g

APRICOT CHICKEN WITH PASTA



Apricot Chicken With Pasta image

Make and share this Apricot Chicken With Pasta recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Doreen Randal

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 48m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon oil
2 chicken breasts
1 (425 g) can apricots
2 tablespoons malt vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger, ground
1 pinch cayenne pepper
salt
black pepper, freshly ground
400 g fettuccine

Steps:

  • Peel onion and chop finely.
  • Crush, peel and chop garlic.
  • Heat oil in a saucepan and saute onion and garlic for 5 minutes or until onion is transparent.
  • Cut chicken breasts into thin strips.
  • Add chicken strips to pan and stir fry 2 or 3 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.
  • Drain apricots, leaving about 2 Tbsp of the juice.
  • Puree apricots in a food processor or blender.
  • Add malt vinegar, ginger, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
  • Mix to combine; pour into the saucepan.
  • Bring mixture to the boil.
  • Cook fettucine in boiling salted water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender.
  • Drain.
  • Serve chicken over pasta.

APRICOT PASTA SALAD



Apricot Pasta Salad image

This unusual, summery pasta salad recipe comes courtesy of the California Apricot Council. I love apricots, and will be trying this once fresh ones come into season. If you can't find fresh apricots, canned ones might make a suitable substitute. NOTE: Cooking time is for the pasta. If you chop the veggies while the pasta cooks and cools, and use store-bought rotisserie chicken, this can be a snap to put together.

Provided by Lynne M

Categories     Fruit

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 ounces fusilli (corkscrew pasta)
6 fresh apricots, cut into quarters (3/4 pound)
1 whole chicken breast, cooked and shredded
2 small zucchini, julienned (1/2 pound)
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 fresh apricots, pitted and cut into pieces
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • DRESSING: Combine apricots, white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar in blender; whirl until blended. With blender running, slowly add vegetable oil until thick and smooth. Stir in basil.
  • PASTA: Cook pasta as package directs; drain and let cool.
  • Combine pasta, apricots, chicken, zucchini, red pepper, seasonings and basil in bowl. Toss with dressing, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 414.2, Fat 21.2, SaturatedFat 3.8, Cholesterol 46.4, Sodium 54.4, Carbohydrate 36, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 12.4, Protein 20.9

APRICOT CHICKEN SALAD



Apricot Chicken Salad image

The cayenne pepper and sweet apricot preserve combination is a great balance. Got this from a magazine a few years ago, perhaps Everyday Food. A bit more sophisticated than regular chicken salad.

Provided by JulieCooks

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 15m

Yield 6 cups, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apricot preserves or 1/4 cup peach preserves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup red grapes, halved
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, chopped

Steps:

  • Mix mayo, preserves, lemon juice and cayenne in a small bowl.
  • Toss chicken, grapes, almonds and tarragon in large bowl.
  • Add mayo mixture and toss until coated.
  • Season with salt to taste.

APRICOT-BASIL CHICKEN SALAD



Apricot-Basil Chicken Salad image

The crunchy chicken-apricot salad can go from a ladies' luncheon to your picnic basket. As an appetizer, try it on top of crackers or toasted bread. This recipe is from reader Darlene Rose Cook of Corvallis, Oregon.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon paprika
5 teaspoons champagne or white-wine vinegar
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 medium white onion, minced (1/2 cup)
1 large celery stalk, diced small (1/2 cup), plus leaves
1/3 cup dried apricots, diced small
1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, paprika, and vinegar. Stir in chicken, almonds, onion, celery, apricots, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 315 g, Fat 21 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 18 g

Tips:

  • Choose ripe, juicy apricots for the best flavor. If fresh apricots are unavailable, you can use dried apricots, but be sure to rehydrate them before using.
  • Use a good quality pasta. A short pasta, like penne or rotini, works well in this salad.
  • Don't overcook the chicken. It should be cooked through but still tender.
  • Use a light vinaigrette dressing. A simple dressing made with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs is all you need.
  • Add some crunchy vegetables to the salad, such as celery, carrots, or radishes.
  • Top the salad with some freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley, basil, or thyme.

Conclusion:

Apricot chicken pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious apricot chicken pasta salad that will be a hit at your next potluck or picnic.

Related Topics