The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Need a dish that wows a crowd without stressing you out? Look no further than this large-batch Cold Chicken Pasta Salad! This make-ahead pasta salad is packed with flavor and ready in a snap. It’s the perfect solution for family reunions, potlucks, backyard barbecues, and easy dinners!
It costs approximately $11.13 to make this pasta salad. The recipe makes sixteen servings and costs around $0.69 per serving.
What You’ll Love About Cold Chicken Pasta Salad:
- One-Bowl Wonder: After cooking the pasta, throw all the yummy ingredients into a large bowl and stir it well. There are no complicated steps to slow you down.
- Crowd Pleaser: This recipe makes a large batch, so it is plenty to feed everyone! And it will because everyone loves this salad.
- Effortless Recipe: There’s no need to heat the kitchen by turning on the oven for this recipe. You’ll be able to make it in about thirty minutes.
- Make-Ahead Recipe: You can make this recipe the day before you need it. It tastes better the next day after it has been prepared as the flavors of the chicken and pasta, with the grapes and other ingredients marinade together.
Chicken Pasta Salad Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 16 oz bowtie pasta – $0.67
- 16 oz rotini pasta – $0.67
- 2 cups red grapes – $1.17
- 8 oz can pineapple tidbits – $0.98
- 11 oz can Mandarine oranges – $2.19
- 2 cups shredded chicken – $1.96
- 1 cups diced celery – $0.44
- 1 cup craisins – $1.00
- 1 cup coleslaw dressing – $1.75
- 1/2 bunch green onions – $0.30
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in February 2024.
How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad:
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Start by boiling the pasta, then drain and let it cool completely.
- Add all of the pasta salad ingredients on top of the cooled pasta.
- Add the dressing on top and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it for at least an hour, ideally overnight, for maximum flavor.
Easy Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Variations:
This recipe makes A TON of pasta salad! It’s great for large family gatherings, potlucks, and eating all week long for lunches. If you don’t want a ton of pasta salad on your hands, then cut the recipe in half.
Chicken and Pasta Salad Recipe Storage Tips:
- SERVE: This pasta salad contains chicken and dressing, which can spoil quickly at room temperature. Enjoy it within 2 hours of being out of the fridge.
- STORE: Keep the leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
- FREEZE: This pasta salad isn’t freezer-friendly because the mayonnaise in the coleslaw dressing separates when frozen, resulting in an unpleasant oily texture when thawed.
Recipe FAQs:
Can you make pasta salad a day ahead?
We recommend making this chicken salad a day ahead! The flavors meld beautifully overnight, giving you the BEST taste with minimal effort.
What to Serve for a complete meal?
Want to elevate your meal to another level? Whip up a batch of our Large Batch 1-Hour Dinner Rolls for a warm, fluffy side that perfectly complements the salad.
Are you craving a lunchtime treat? Spread your chicken pasta salad on fresh croissants for a delicious, easy, portable, and flavorful sandwich.
You can also add some grilled corn on the cob to your plate. The contrast of warm corn with the cool salad creates a refreshing and unique combination.
Should you let pasta cool before making pasta salad?
Yes, run cool water over the pasta to stop it from cooking, and let it cool completely before adding the remaining ingredients. If the pasta is warm, it could cook the veggies in the bowl after combining all the ingredients.
What’s the best pasta for pasta salad?
Short, curly shapes like rotini, farfalle, or penne are your friends for chicken pasta salad. They’re easier to eat and trap all the yummy dressing and ingredients.
How do you keep pasta salad from drying out?
After draining your noodles, give them a quick cool water rinse in a colander. This halts the cooking process and removes excess starch, preventing them from becoming mushy or sticking together.
Also, toss the cooled noodles with a drizzle of olive oil. This creates a thin barrier, preventing the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming dry.
Get Kids Involved With this Easy Chicken Pasta Salad:
Ages 2-3: Let them wash and dry the vegetables and grapes under your supervision. They’ll love splashing around and feeling helpful.
Ages 4-5: Hand them a spoon and let them help stir the dressing into the pasta salad. They’ll feel proud contributing to the final mix.
Ages 6-8: Once all the ingredients are prepped, give them the reins to stir and combine everything in the bowl. They’ll feel like the star of the kitchen!
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Chicken and Pasta Salad Recipe Budget Tips:
Make a batch of our Bulk Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, use some for this pasta salad, and freeze the rest for another meal. This can help stretch your grocery budget when you plan multiple meals from one chicken recipe.
More From Easy Budget Recipes:
Large-Batch Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup red grapes
- 8 oz can pineapple tidbits drained
- 11 oz can Mandarine oranges drained
- 2 cups shredded chicken or (2) 12.5 oz cans chicken
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 ozs craisins
- 1 cup coleslaw dressing
- ½ bunch green onions chopped
Instructions
- First, cook pasta in two separate pots, and cook as per package directions. Drain the pasta and run it under cold water until cool.
- Next, add the pasta to a LARGE bowl. Add the pineapple, oranges, chicken, celery, craisins, and coleslaw dressing to the pasta. Mix until everything is distributed evenly and the pasta is coated in the dressing.
- Finally, chill the pasta salad overnight in the refrigerator.
Rachele says
Love the format and the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you!
Sharon says
This chicken pasta salad is the perfect dish to make up and have on hand for lunches and dinner. Great for meal prep!
Jess Jankowski says
Such a good idea!
Krissy Allori says
I love a good pasta salad. This one looks so yummy and easy.
Jess Jankowski says
Can’t wait to hear how you like it!
Elaine says
This salad is perfect for family reunions! It is easy to make, yet everyone’s favorite – just perfect. Great tip on avoiding spaghetti – I certainly will!
Jess Jankowski says
Family reunions is such a great idea!
Sarah | Wandercooks says
Crazy good! Never thought to put grapes or mandarin in a pasta salad. Looking forward to trying this one out. 🙂
Jess Jankowski says
Right?!? It’s such a good combination!
Megan says
Oh chicken salad is a fav around here!! Can’t wait to try this!
Jess Jankowski says
I love taking this on the boat for the day!
Neha says
Grapes mandarins and pineapples sound so yum here! So refreshing and yum, need to try this one soon.
Jess Jankowski says
It is so refreshing! Perfect for those hot days and you don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen.
Micki says
This is absolutely perfect for a summer picnic!My hubby loves the sweet pop of the craisins, especially.
Jess Jankowski says
Craisins are so yummy! Thank you for your feedback!
Jenni says
I made this for a tailgating party this past weekend and it was by far the favorite food there! Not a bite was left over and everyone kept talking about how good it was! This is going to be my new “go to” recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
That’s amazing! That is the perfect way to use this salad because it makes such a big batch!
Diana says
This is a family favorite. Love the addition of the green onions
Jess Jankowski says
The green onions add so much flavor to it!
Marie Wright says
If you wanted to throw some chicken in for a meal, use the shredded chicken you cooked in the instant pot. Pasta salads are a fave especially during the summer.
Jess Jankowski says
Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Calvin says
Great filling salad! I like the colours.
Jess Jankowski says
It is my favorite in the summertime!