This BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for your next summer cookout or potluck! The tender chicken, pasta, and vegetables are coated in a ranch BBQ sauce that will have your family raving about this dish!
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe irresistible
- What you'll need: ingredients
- Step-by-step guide: instructions
- Watch and learn: recipe video
- Essential equipment for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
- Deb's tips for the perfect dish
- How to store leftovers
- More recipes you'll love
- Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
What makes this recipe irresistible
We love hosting cookouts and backyard parties in the summer, so I'm always looking for a light warm-weather meal or side dish. And, let me tell you this easy recipe can be served as both, and it will disappear in s snap!
Guys, you will love everything about this dish! It's creamy, tangy, crunchy, and filled with flavor. 5 stars in my book!!!
What you'll need: ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- ranch dressing
- barbecue sauce
- cooked rotisserie chicken
- rotini pasta cooked to al dente and drained
- black beans drained and rinsed
- Canned corn kernels, fiesta corn or frozen corn, both are great!
- diced red onion
- shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- corn chips
- cilantro - optional garnish
Step-by-step guide: instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Mix the dressing and ½ cup bbq sauce and set aside.
- Toss the remaining barbecue sauce with the cooked chicken, set aisde.
- Cook the pasta to al dente, drain and cool. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chicken, drained black beans, corn and diced onions with the mixed salad dressing and toss until the ingredients are coated.
- Finish by topping it with the corn chips and minced cilantro right before serving.
Watch and learn: recipe video
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Essential equipment for this recipe
- large bowl
- large pot
- colander
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Yes, you want to cool or room temperature pasta so that it doesn't cook your ingredients for the salad. Make it the day before so it's nice and cold.
While it's not required to rinse the pasta, giving it a quick rinse in cool water will prevent the pasta from sticking together in one large clump. Plus it stops the cooking process.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
Different brands of pasta cook at different rates so make sure that you check the timing on the package for your brand. Cook it to al dente.
- Don't add the corn chips until you are ready to serve the salad otherwise they will get soggy.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftover bbq chicken pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Give it a toss before serving. You may need to add a little more salad dressing.
More recipes you'll love
There are so many different summer salads that are perfect for cookouts and picnics. Some of my favorites are Creamy BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad, or this Creamy Pasta Salad.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Serve this tasty salad as a side dish for your favorite grilled proteins. I like to pair it with these Tender Ribs on the Grill or these Grilled Chicken Legs. Why not make both so you have choices?
- I also like to pair these entrees with other summer-inspired side dishes like this Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Steamed Corn On The Cob. They both taste amazing!
- These Gooey S'mores Bars are the ultimate summer dessert, chocolatey, gooey, and super easy to make you can't go wrong.
Do you love pasta salad? I'd love for you to leave me a comment down below and tell me what your favorite dressing for pasta salad is!
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup Ranch dressing
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce (divided)
- 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken
- 1 pound rotini pasta cooked to al dente and drained
- 1 15- ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels canned fire roasted fiesta corn is pretty and tasty!
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups corn chips
- optional garnish - cilantro
Instructions
- Mix the Ranch and ½ cup barbecue sauce and set aside.
- Toss the cooked chicken with ¼ cup bbq sauce, set aisde.
- Cook the pasta to al dente, drain and cool completely.* Place in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken, drained black beans, corn and diced onions. Mix together well.
- Add the ranch dressing mixture and toss until the ingredients are coated with the dressing.
- Give it another good toss and top with the corn chips and minced cilantro right before serving.
Lois says
This is so good. Love it and having the kids live near us is just so fun. And we get to test the recipes another plus for us.