Best 2 Pasta Salad With Fruit And Chicken Recipes

Indulge your taste buds in a symphony of flavors with our tantalizing pasta salad, a delightful harmony of sweet fruits, succulent chicken, and vibrant vegetables, tossed in a tangy dressing. This versatile dish offers three delectable variations: a classic mayo-based dressing, a refreshing lemon-herb vinaigrette, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing. Each dressing adds a unique twist to the salad, catering to diverse palates. Whether you prefer a traditional mayonnaise dressing, a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette, or a creamy avocado ranch dressing, this recipe has got you covered.

1. **Classic Mayonnaise Dressing:** This traditional dressing combines mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, creating a rich and creamy base for the salad. Its smooth texture and tangy flavor perfectly complement the sweet fruits and savory chicken.

2. **Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette:** For a lighter and more refreshing option, the lemon-herb vinaigrette is a delightful choice. This zesty dressing is made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and a blend of aromatic herbs, such as basil, oregano, and thyme. Its bright acidity and herbaceous notes add a vibrant touch to the salad.

3. **Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing:** If you love the creamy richness of ranch dressing with a healthy twist, the creamy avocado ranch dressing is the perfect pick. This dressing combines ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, and buttermilk, resulting in a smooth and flavorful sauce. Its creamy texture and tangy flavor, complemented by the subtle avocado notes, make it an irresistible dressing for the salad.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FRUITED CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Fruited Chicken Pasta Salad image

"This easy, 5-ingredient recipe makes a nice alternative to potato salad for a summer side dish." It's also refreshing, colorful and a great way to use up leftover chicken. Enjoy! Bridget Francoeur - Adrian, MI

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup halved green grapes
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, oranges and grapes. Drain and rinse pasta with cold water; add to chicken mixture. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.Easy Asian Noodles: Substitute 8 ounces uncooked thin spaghetti for bow tie pasta, adding a 10-ounce package of julienned carrots and 1/2 pound sugar snap peas during last minute of cooking. Drain; add chicken, oranges and 1/2 cup stir-fry sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 316 calories, Fat 15g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 205mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

LITTLE NANCY'S PASTA SALAD WITH FRUIT AND CHICKEN

Little Nancy's Pasta Salad with Fruit and Chicken image

This chicken pasta salad recipe with fruit delivers a delightful blend of interesting tastes, including nuts, grapes, and oranges. Sprinkle with extra cashews, mint leaves, and cinnamon before serving, if desired.

Provided by Nancyr

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
1 pound cooked chicken, diced
1 pound seedless red grapes, halved
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced horizontally
2 (8 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained and liquid reserved
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
1 cup chopped cashews
1 sprig fresh mint leaves, chopped, or to taste
1 pinch cinnamon, or to taste
2 (8 ounce) containers mandarin orange-flavored whipped yogurt
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
Combine cooked pasta, chicken, grapes, celery, oranges, water chestnuts, cashews, mint leaves, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
Mix yogurt, mayonnaise, and chicken bouillon for dressing together in a bowl until well blended. Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss lightly until all ingredients are coated. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 638.4 calories, Carbohydrate 55.9 g, Cholesterol 59.3 mg, Fat 36.8 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 23.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.1 g, Sodium 473.9 mg, Sugar 28.6 g

Tips:

Choose the right pasta. Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or bow-tie pasta are ideal for this salad as they hold the dressing well. Avoid using long pasta like spaghetti or linguine as they can be difficult to mix and eat.
Use fresh, ripe fruit. The fruit you use in this salad should be sweet and flavorful. Avoid using fruit that is bruised or overripe.
Grill or roast the chicken ahead of time. This will save you time when assembling the salad. You can also use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
Make the dressing ahead of time. This will allow the flavors to meld together. You can store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Don't add the dressing to the salad until just before serving. This will prevent the pasta from getting soggy.

Conclusion:

This pasta salad with fruit and chicken is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. You can add different fruits, vegetables, or cheeses to create a unique salad that everyone will enjoy.