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Delicious Hawaiian Chicken Pasta Salad with colorful vegetables and chicken

Hawaiian Chicken Pasta Salad

Indulge in this vibrant Hawaiian Chicken Pasta Salad featuring juicy pineapple, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables, all enveloped in a creamy dressing. Perfect for summer picnics and light dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American, Hawaiian
Servings 5 servings
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken

  • 8 oz rotini pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced (grilled or rotisserie)

Fruits and Vegetables

  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
  • 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then toss in the rotini pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
  • If using raw chicken, season it with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (about 7-10 minutes on each side). Let it rest for a few minutes before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
  • While the chicken is cooling or cooking, dice the fresh pineapple, red bell pepper, celery, and green onions into small pieces. Grate the carrots if using fresh.

Dressing and Assembly

  • In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Whisk together until smooth.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, diced chicken, chopped vegetables, and pineapple. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss everything together until well-coated.

Serving

  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, give it a gentle stir and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate chicken in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before cooking. Chill the salad for best flavor and texture.
Keyword Easy Salad Recipe, Hawaiian Chicken Salad, pasta salad, summer salad, Tropical Salad