Name: Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 34 min
Ingredients: 1 lb bow tie pasta, cooked al dente; 3 cups sliced purple grapes; 1 bunch sliced green onions; 2 1/2 cups lightly salted cashews; 3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken; 3/4 cup loosely packed brown sugar; 1 3/4 cups mayonnaise; 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper

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This Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing twist on traditional pasta salads, blending the sweetness of grapes with the savory crunch of cashews and the creaminess of the mayonnaise dressing. The addition of rotisserie chicken makes it a satisfying and hearty dish, perfect for family dinners or large gatherings. What sets this salad apart is the balance of flavors and textures. The fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar give the dressing a zesty kick, while the brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness. The combination of grapes, green onions, and cashews gives each bite a delightful burst of flavor and crunch, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb bow tie pasta, cooked al dente
3 cups sliced purple grapes

1 bunch sliced green onions
2 1/2 cups lightly salted cashews
3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken

3/4 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cups mayonnaise
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to package directions.
Add cooked pasta, grapes, green onions, cashews, and chicken to a large bowl. Toss to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, brown sugar, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is fully coated.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 14 minutes | Total Time: 34 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal per serving | Servings: 8

A Unique Blend of Flavors and Textures

Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is one of those recipes that stands out at any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, attending a potluck, or simply preparing a family dinner, this dish offers the perfect combination of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy elements. What makes this salad so special is its unique fusion of ingredients like rotisserie chicken, cashews, grapes, and green onions, all tossed in a deliciously rich and slightly sweet dressing. This dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a quick and easy recipe to prepare, making it a go-to option when you need something delicious in a pinch.

The Appeal of Pasta Salad

Pasta salads, in general, are versatile, easy-to-make, and beloved by many. From Italian-style pasta salads to Mediterranean variations, they’re a staple at outdoor gatherings and can be easily modified to suit individual preferences. What sets Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad apart from other pasta-based dishes is its intriguing blend of ingredients. It veers away from the typical pasta salad filled with vegetables and vinaigrette, offering instead a mixture that feels more indulgent yet balanced in flavor.

The star of the dish is the combination of creamy dressing with the contrasting textures of tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and juicy grapes. This contrast makes every bite exciting and satisfying. The tangy dressing, infused with brown sugar, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar, ties all the flavors together while adding a slight sweetness that perfectly balances the savory components of the salad.

Ingredients That Elevate the Dish

One of the key ingredients that take this pasta salad to the next level is rotisserie chicken. Pre-cooked and seasoned, it’s a convenient addition that saves time while delivering depth of flavor. The chicken adds heartiness and makes this dish a complete meal, perfect for those who want something filling but not too heavy.

Cashews are another standout component. Their natural sweetness and crunch work beautifully alongside the tender pasta and chicken. Lightly salted cashews add just the right amount of seasoning without overpowering the other ingredients. Plus, cashews are nutrient-rich, contributing to the dish’s overall healthiness by providing healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc.

The addition of grapes is an unexpected yet genius touch. Grapes provide bursts of freshness and sweetness, complementing the richer elements of the salad. Purple grapes not only add a pop of color but also introduce natural sweetness that contrasts with the tanginess of the dressing and the savoriness of the chicken. It’s this kind of ingredient pairing that makes this pasta salad so unforgettable.

Green onions, while subtle, add a fresh bite to the salad. Their sharpness offsets the richness of the mayonnaise-based dressing and brings a nice balance to the overall flavor profile. While some people may not be huge fans of onions in their dishes, green onions are mild enough to blend well without overpowering the other components.

Why Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad Works for Any Occasion

This dish is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to suit different occasions. Whether you’re looking for a side dish to bring to a casual gathering or a main course for a family dinner, this salad fits the bill. Since the recipe yields a large quantity, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd. And if you’re hosting a summer cookout, it pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, vegetables, or even light seafood dishes.

Another reason why this pasta salad works well for gatherings is that it can be made ahead of time. In fact, the flavors meld and intensify the longer the salad sits, making it a fantastic dish to prepare in advance. You can store it in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight, and it will taste just as fresh and delicious when you’re ready to serve it.

The salad is also adaptable for different dietary preferences. You can easily substitute ingredients to make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken or swapping it for a plant-based alternative. If you’re looking to make it dairy-free, simply ensure that the mayonnaise you use is plant-based. The core ingredients—cashews, grapes, and pasta—can remain the same, while the recipe’s flexibility allows for adjustments based on your guests’ dietary needs.

The Dressing: The Heart of the Salad

The dressing for this Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is truly what brings all the ingredients together. It’s a combination of creamy mayonnaise, tangy apple cider vinegar, and fresh lemon juice, with brown sugar adding a touch of sweetness. This dressing isn’t your typical light vinaigrette or Italian dressing; instead, it’s rich and indulgent, yet perfectly balanced by the acidity from the lemon juice and vinegar.

The inclusion of brown sugar in the dressing is what makes this recipe stand out from other pasta salads. While some might shy away from adding sweetness to savory dishes, the brown sugar in this recipe is subtle and works harmoniously with the other ingredients. It helps to cut through the richness of the mayonnaise while complementing the sweetness of the grapes and the nuttiness of the cashews.

The salt and pepper in the dressing ensure that all the flavors are well-balanced, and the freshness of the lemon juice brightens up the whole dish. Using fresh lemon juice rather than bottled juice is key to achieving that vibrant, zesty flavor, so it’s worth taking the extra step to squeeze fresh lemons.

Tips for Perfecting Your Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad

Use Al Dente Pasta: For the best texture, make sure your pasta is cooked al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when mixed with the dressing, especially if the salad sits for a while before being served. Al dente pasta retains its shape and texture, ensuring that every bite is as satisfying as the first.

Fresh Ingredients Matter: Fresh lemon juice and high-quality mayonnaise will make a noticeable difference in the final flavor of the dish. Using fresh ingredients ensures that the dressing is bright and tangy rather than dull and flat.
Customize to Your Taste: One of the best things about this recipe is its adaptability. You can add or swap ingredients depending on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Try adding chopped apples for extra crunch or dried cranberries for an extra layer of sweetness. You could even toss in some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added freshness.
Chill Before Serving: Although you can serve the salad immediately, it’s even better if you let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld and develop, making for an even tastier dish.

Scaling the Recipe: If you’re making this salad for a smaller group or just for your family, feel free to halve the recipe. On the flip side, it’s easy to double the ingredients if you’re serving a large crowd.

Conclusion:

Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is more than just a side dish—it’s a star in its own right. The combination of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy makes it an exciting and satisfying dish that will impress any crowd. Whether you’re preparing it for a potluck, a picnic, or a casual family dinner, it’s bound to be a hit.

This recipe is versatile, easy to prepare, and packed with flavor. The best part? It’s adaptable enough that you can make it your own with a few simple tweaks, yet delicious enough that you don’t need to change a thing. Whether you stick to the original or customize it to suit your tastes, this pasta salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll come back to again and again.