BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

HOT Summer days call for this chillled BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad. In addition, you MUST make it with my BBQ Avocado Vinaigrette, Okay? It’s like a backyard BBQ Party in yo mouth. 

 

Imagine all the things you love about a BBQ chicken pizza, in pasta salad form. Holy flavor-ville I’m drooling just thinking about it. This is one of those easy recipes that you can whip up last minute and no one will be able to tell that you didn’t spend all day on it.

 

I could go on and on about it, so let’s just get to the recipe, shall we?!

 

What you need for this BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

• Chicken Breasts { I used @moinkbox }
• Pasta of choice { I used @califlourfoods yellow lentil + cauliflower pasta }
• Fresh spinach
• BBQ sauce of choice { I used @annieshomegrown organic smoky maple BBQ sauce }
• Red onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Avocado

 

How to make BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

• First, the night before, marinate the chicken breasts in a dish with the jar of BBQ sauce – or for at least 4 hours. { reserving 1 TBL for the Vinaigrette }
• Secondly, the next day, grill or bake the BBQ chicken breast until fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes to cool before slicing.
• Third, cook the pasta according to the package to al dente { about 8 mins. } Immediately drain and rinse under COLD water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
• Lastly, in a bowl, combine the cooked pasta, raw diced onion, bag of fresh spinach, cilantro, avocado, 1/4 cup or so of the prepared BBQ Avocado Vinaigrette and toss all together. Serve with sliced BBQ chicken on top! *PRO TIP: Even better the next day.

 

For the Vinaigrette you will need

• 1/2 avocado
• 1 Tbl. BBQ sauce
• 1 Tbl. Red wine vinegar { or lemon juice }
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Pink salt & pepper to taste
• 2 Tbl good olive oil
• 2 Tbl or so of water { adjust for desired consistency }

 

Whisk together and serve with the salad.

 

More chicken recipes you might like:

Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesean

Honey Cilantro Lime Chicken Tenders

Baked Chicken and Savory Herbed Waffles

 

[lt_recipe name=”Chilled BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad” servings=”4″ prep_time=”4H – FOR MARINATE ” cook_time=”30M” total_time=”4H 30M” difficulty=”Easy” summary=”Hot summer days call for this chilled summer salad! This recipe is full of your favorite summer flavors and completely satisfying.” print=”yes” ingredients=”1 pound of Chicken Breasts { I used @moinkbox };1 box of penne pasta of choice { I used @califlourfoods yellow lentil + cauliflower pasta };1 8-10oz bag of fresh spinach;1 bottle of BBQ sauce of choice { I used @annieshomegrown organic smoky maple BBQ sauce };1/4-1/2 raw red onion, diced;A big handful of fresh cilantro, chopped;1/2 avocado, cubed;.;1/2 avocado;1 Tbl. BBQ sauce;1 Tbl. Red wine vinegar { or lemon juice };1 garlic clove, minced;Pink salt & pepper to taste;2 Tbl good olive oil;2 Tbl or so of water { adjust for desired consistency }” ]The night before, marinate the chicken breasts in a dish with the jar of BBQ sauce – or for at least 4 hours. { reserving 1 TBL for the Vinaigrette };;The next day, grill or bake the BBQ chicken breast until fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes to cool before slicing.;;Cook the pasta according to the package to al dente { about 8 mins. } Immediately drain and rinse under COLD water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.;;In a bowl, combine the cooked pasta, raw diced onion, bag of fresh spinach, cilantro, avocado, 1/4 cup or so of the prepared BBQ Avocado Vinaigrette and toss all together. Serve with sliced BBQ chicken on top!*PRO TIP: Even better the next day.[/lt_recipe]