Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad is packed with flavor! A creamy, delicious dressing coats tender pasta, flavorful chicken, and fresh vegetables. This salad is perfect for lunches, meal prep, a potluck side, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Who doesn’t love a great pasta salad during the summertime? We love taking this creamy macaroni salad or pepperoni pasta salad to potlucks, and they always go over well!
Before You Get Started
A few tips to help you have the best pasta salad!
CHICKEN: Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken or make my shredded chicken instead. Just as flavorful, easy, and budget-friendly!
PASTA: Use any short pasta for this recipe. Penne, elbow, small shells, small bowties, bowties, and rotini are all great options.
CHILL TIME: This should chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. I recommend letting it sit overnight for the best results. If you plan to refrigerate it for longer than 2 hours, set aside about one-third of the dressing. When you’re ready to serve, toss the pasta salad with the reserved dressing to restore its creaminess.
How To Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad
This salad comes together easily with a few simple steps!
STEP 1: Cook, Drain, Rinse
Boil the pasta in a large pot of well salted water. Then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and remove surface starches so the noodles don’t stick together.
STEP 2: Make the Dressing
In a large bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and mix well.
**PRO TIP: Remember, if you plan to leave this sit for more than 2 hours, reserve about 1/3 of the dressing to toss with the salad before serving.
**FLAVOR TIP: For a bit more depth, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard is a nice addition.
STEP 3: Combine the Salad
Add the drained pasta, along with the remaining ingredients, to the bowl with the dressing. Toss well to coat everything. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you have the time. Keep the reserved dressing covered in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
While I don’t recommend replacing it entirely because the recipe already uses half mayo, half sour cream, you could replace half of the mayo with Greek yogurt or more sour cream. It will change the flavor profile a little.
Pasta will continue to absorb the dressing as it sits. That is why I suggest reserving some of the dressing for to stir in later just before serving.
It is not recommended to freeze this pasta salad because the dressing may separate.
Serving Suggestions
This is a great, hearty pasta salad that pairs well with any of the following!
- Cucumber Honeydew Salad
- Mojito Fruit Salad
- Easy Fruit Salad
- Marinated Tomatoes
- Lemon Parmesan Broccoli
- Oven Roasted Green Beans
- Any grilled veggie
Storage Suggestions
STORAGE: Store the pasta salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
MAKE-AHEAD: This pasta salad tastes even better the next day! If planning to make it and let sit overnight be sure to reserve 1/3 of the dressing to stir in just before serving to make it nice and creamy.
Substitutions
PROTEIN: Swap out the chicken for cooked white beans, garbanzo beans, small steak cubes, or even salad shrimp.
VEGGIES: Feel free to add in more veggies! Bell pepper, spinach, kale, cucumbers, or grilled corn.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454g) package rotini or similar pasta
- 3 cups (315g) cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 2 cups (290g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 (8oz) (226g) mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup (15g) packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- ½ cup (70g) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
- ½ cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
DRESSING:
- ¾ cup (175g) mayonnaise
- ¾ cup (175g) sour cream
- 3 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions.1 pound (454g) package rotini or similar pasta
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
DRESSING:
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing. (if you are planning on letting this chill for longer than 2 hours, reserve 1/3 of the dressing for later)¾ cup (175g) mayonnaise, ¾ cup (175g) sour cream, 3 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomatoes, 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon honey, 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste
- Add the pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, basil, and onion to the bowl of dressing. Toss lightly to coat everything. Cover and chill for 2 hours. (if chilling for longer than 2 hours, when ready to serve, toss with the reserved dressing.3 cups (315g) cooked chicken, shredded or cubed, 2 cups (290g) cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 (8oz) (226g) mozzarella pearls, 1 cup (15g) packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, ½ cup (70g) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped, ½ cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese, ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
Notes
- NUTRITION FACTS: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. This website is not intended as nutritional advice, or a diet or health plan. Readers of this website are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to their health.
- Nutrition is calculated for the 8 servings as a main dish which is about 2 cups.
