Zesty BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer Gatherings

Crafting a mouthwatering bbq chicken pasta salad sparks joy in every kitchen adventurer’s heart.

Summer gatherings call for something spectacular that doesn’t require complicated techniques.

Smoky, tangy flavors dance through tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, creating a delightful harmony of textures.

Crisp vegetables add unexpected crunch to this crowd-pleasing dish.

Quick and easy preparation means you can spend more time enjoying conversations with loved ones.

Cool and refreshing, this recipe promises to become your go-to summer meal that everyone will request again and again.

Get ready to become the ultimate backyard culinary hero with this irresistible creation.

Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

• Grill and Savor Flavor Explosion: Packed with smoky grilled chicken and vibrant vegetables, this pasta salad delivers a mouthwatering taste adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows quick substitutions of proteins, vegetables, or dressing to match personal preferences or pantry availability, making it perfect for spontaneous cooking.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare ahead and store in refrigerator, ensuring a delicious ready-to-eat option for busy weekdays, picnics, potlucks, or casual gatherings with minimal last-minute effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Combines classic BBQ flavors with pasta's universal appeal, creating a crowd-friendly dish that satisfies diverse palates and brings people together around the table.

Ingredients to Toss Up This Pasta Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Lean meat that provides the main protein and smoky flavor for the pasta salad.
• Black Beans: Additional protein source that adds texture and nutrition to the dish.

• Rotini Pasta: Spiral-shaped pasta that holds dressing well and creates interesting texture.

• Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetables that add crunch and sweet flavor.
• Red Onion, Green Onions: Sharp, fresh onion flavors that provide aromatic depth.
• Corn Kernels: Sweet vegetable that brings additional texture and brightness.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds vibrant green color and zesty flavor.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts slightly and adds creamy richness.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that helps bind the dressing.

• BBQ Sauce: Tangy and sweet sauce that serves as the primary flavor profile.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle garlic flavor to the chicken.
• Smoked Paprika: Provides smoky undertone to the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps with grilling and adds subtle flavor.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Shine

Step 1: Fire Up the Grill

Crank up your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to a sizzling medium-high heat. You want those perfect grill marks that scream summer flavor.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage these spices into the chicken for maximum taste.

Step 3: Grill to Perfection

Toss the seasoned chicken onto the hot grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked and sporting beautiful char marks. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4: Rest and Dice the Chicken

Let the chicken catch its breath for 5 minutes, then chop into mouth-watering bite-sized cubes.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

Boil the rotini in salted water until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Drain and give it a quick cold water rinse to stop the cooking process.

Step 6: Chop the Veggie Party

• Red bell pepper
• Green bell pepper
• Red onion
• Cilantro
• Green onions

Step 7: Whip Up the Dressing

Create a creamy dream by mixing BBQ sauce and mayonnaise until smooth and tangy.

Step 8: Combine the Goodness

• Grilled chicken cubes
• Cooked pasta
• Chopped vegetables
• Corn kernels
• Black beans

Step 9: Dress It Up

Pour the BBQ-mayo dressing over the mixture. Gently fold to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.

Step 10: Add the Cheese

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and fold in gently.

Step 11: Chill and Mellow

Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes. This lets all those incredible flavors get to know each other and become best friends.

Step 12: Final Touch

Garnish with extra fresh cilantro just before serving. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature – it’s a crowd-pleaser either way!

Pro Tips for BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Flavor

• Grill Chicken Perfectly: Use medium-high heat around 400°F to achieve beautiful char marks and ensure juicy, well-cooked chicken with a crispy exterior.
• Prevent Pasta Mushiness: Rinse cooked pasta with cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process and maintain a firm, al dente texture.
• Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk BBQ sauce and mayonnaise thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy dressing that coats ingredients evenly without clumping.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let the pasta salad rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
• Boost Freshness Factor: Garnish with extra fresh cilantro just before serving to add a bright, herbaceous note and vibrant color to the dish.

New Combos for BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Fans

• Southwest Ranch Fiesta: Swap BBQ sauce with zesty ranch dressing, add jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and mix in diced green chiles for a spicy southwestern kick.
• Grecian Mediterranean Blend: Replace BBQ sauce with olive oil and lemon vinaigrette, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle dried oregano for Mediterranean flair.
• Teriyaki Tropical Fusion: Use teriyaki sauce instead of BBQ, include grilled pineapple chunks, add mandarin orange segments, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired version.
• Carolina Pulled Pork Remix: Substitute grilled chicken with slow-cooked pulled pork, use Carolina-style mustard-based BBQ sauce, add pickled red onions, and mix in chopped coleslaw for regional authenticity.

What to Pair with BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

• Boost Fresh Zesty Beverage Pairing: Craft a tangy lemonade with hint of jalapeño to complement the smoky BBQ chicken pasta salad's rich flavors.
• Elevate Wine Selection: Choose crisp Sauvignon Blanc or light Pinot Grigio to cut through creamy dressing and balance spicy-sweet elements of the dish.
• Create Refreshing Beer Match: Select American pale ale or wheat beer with citrusy notes that harmonize perfectly with grilled chicken and vibrant vegetable mix.
• Recommend Mocktail Option: Prepare cucumber mint spritzer with sparkling water to provide cool, refreshing counterpoint to hearty pasta salad's robust taste profile.

How to Store BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Fresh

• Transfer leftover BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Skip freezing this pasta salad as mayonnaise-based dressings tend to separate and become watery when thawed, compromising texture and taste.
• Enjoy the salad chilled or let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor profile and soften ingredients slightly.
• Place a paper towel on top of the salad inside the container to absorb excess moisture and prevent soggy pasta, maintaining the dish's optimal texture.

Common BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Questions

• What type of BBQ sauce works best for this recipe?

Choose a smoky, tangy BBQ sauce like Kansas City-style or Texas-style for authentic barbecue flavor that complements the chicken and pasta.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Rotini works great, but you can substitute with penne, fusilli, or bowtie pasta to maintain similar texture and sauce-holding capabilities.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add diced jalapeños, sprinkle red pepper flakes, or use a spicy BBQ sauce to increase heat and give the salad an extra kick.

• Is this pasta salad suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or potluck gatherings.

BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful BBQ chicken pasta salad brings summer picnics and backyard gatherings to life with zesty southwestern flavors. Fresh ingredients and tangy dressing create a perfect balance of comfort and excitement for your next casual meal.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 16 oz rotini pasta
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced

Seasonings and Extras:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup corn kernels
• 1/4 cup black beans
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat around 400°F for chicken preparation.
2. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coating.
3. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, creating beautiful char marks.
4. Remove chicken from grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized cubes.
5. Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
6. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process, then transfer to large mixing bowl.
7. Chop red and green bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, and green onions while pasta cools.
8. In separate bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and mayonnaise to create creamy dressing.
9. Add grilled chicken cubes, diced vegetables, corn kernels, and black beans to pasta.
10. Pour BBQ-mayo dressing over pasta mixture, gently tossing to coat all ingredients evenly.
11. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and fold gently to distribute.
12. Refrigerate salad for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop.
13. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Select bone-in chicken breasts for more flavor and juiciness during grilling process.
• Marinate chicken in BBQ sauce for 30 minutes before grilling to enhance taste and tenderness.
• Use gluten-free pasta and BBQ sauce for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Add extra protein by incorporating diced avocado or grilled tofu for vegetarian version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg