BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
The best BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad that’s always a hit! My secret is the ultra-creamy BBQ ranch dressing that keeps it tasting fresh and never dry. Perfect for making ahead!
Equipment
- Large Stockpot
- Colander
- Sharp Chef's Knife & Cutting Board
- A Very Large Mixing Bowl
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/2 large red onion finely diced
- 1 can 15-ounce sweet corn, drained well
- 1 can 15-ounce black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
For the Dressing
- 1 cup thick and smoky BBQ sauce
- 1 cup creamy ranch dressing
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente in generously salted water. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water until cool. Shake dry.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the BBQ sauce and ranch dressing together until smooth.
- In a very large bowl, add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, red onion, corn, black beans, and cheddar cheese.
- Pour about 2/3 of the dressing over the salad and fold gently until everything is coated.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, add the remaining 1/3 of the dressing and the fresh cilantro. Toss well, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Notes
- Pro Tip for Make-Ahead: To make this 1 day in advance, combine the dry ingredients (pasta, chicken, cheese, beans, corn, onion) in a sealed container. Store the dressing and fresh cilantro separately in the fridge. Combine everything just before serving for maximum freshness.
- To Avoid Mushy Pasta: Rinse cooked pasta under cold water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and removes excess starch.
- To Avoid Watery Dressing: Use a thick-style BBQ sauce and ensure corn and beans are patted completely dry before adding them.
- Avocado Variation: To add avocado, gently fold in 1-2 diced avocados during the final step with the reserved dressing. Do not add it earlier, or it will turn brown.