Chicken and Cashew Pasta Salad
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This Chicken and Cashew Pasta Salad is an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe made with simple ingredients and a creamy dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or anything in between.
What do you get when you combine chicken salad and pasta salad, and then add a handful of cashews… this Chicken and Cashew Pasta Salad! At first glance, the ingredient list feels a little old school, and I’ll be honest, I paused when I first read through it. Some of the combinations felt unexpected. But once it all comes together, it makes perfect sense. Every ingredient has a role, and the result is a really satisfying, well-balanced dish.
I originally got this recipe from a friend, but after doing a bit of digging, it looks like versions of it have been floating around for years, possibly from sources like Taste of Home or Pillsbury. There are small variations depending on where you look, and I’ve made a few tweaks of my own along the way, but the heart of the recipe stays the same. It’s simple, familiar, and dependable—a shout-out to them for this inspiration.
This is an easy recipe that makes a generous amount, so it’s great when you’re feeding a crowd. The ingredient list is straightforward, the steps are simple, and there’s nothing complicated about the process. It’s the kind of dish that works just as well at a potluck or celebration as it does tucked into the fridge for lunches during the week. I especially love serving it over a bed of lettuce for a fresh, easy meal. I think you’re definitely going to enjoy this one, so I hope you give it a try. Let’s get into the details.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s familiar, a little unexpected, and somehow just works. At first glance, the ingredient list might raise an eyebrow, but once everything is mixed together, it makes perfect sense. The sweet fruit, savory chicken, creamy dressing, and salty cashews all balance each other in a satisfying way.
- It’s easy to make and doesn’t require anything fancy. No special tools, no hard-to-find ingredients, and no complicated steps. This is the kind of recipe you can pull together without stress, even if you’re making it for the first time.
- It makes a generous amount, which is always a win. This pasta salad is great for potlucks, cookouts, and family gatherings because it feeds a crowd without much extra effort. It also holds up well in the fridge, making it a great option for lunches throughout the week.
Looking for more pasta salad recipes? I don’t blame you. I love me a pasta salad. I have an entire collection dedicated to my favorite pasta salad recipes. Be sure to check it out.
Ingredients
It’s time to gather all the ingredients for this recipe. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Rotini pasta – A sturdy pasta that holds onto the creamy dressing and mixes easily with the other ingredients without falling apart.
- Cooked chicken – This adds heartiness and makes the salad feel filling enough to serve as a main dish. Rotisserie chicken or leftover baked chicken also works well here.
- Pineapple tidbits – The pineapple brings a subtle sweetness that might seem surprising at first, but it really helps balance the savory ingredients.
- Celery – Celery adds a crisp, fresh crunch that keeps the salad from feeling too heavy.
- Green onions – These add a mild onion flavor without overpowering the other ingredients and give the salad a little extra freshness.
- Grapes – These bring sweetness and a soft texture that pairs nicely with the creamy dressing.
- Dried cranberries – These add a chewy texture and a pop of tartness that balances the sweeter fruit.
- Ranch dressing – Ranch gives the salad its familiar, savory base and ties everything together. This is the ingredient that threw me off the most, but you really don’t even know it’s in there.
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise adds richness and creaminess, helping the dressing coat the pasta evenly.
- Sugar – Just a small amount helps round out the dressing and balance the tang from the ranch.
- Salted cashews – Cashews add crunch and a salty finish. Stirring them in just before serving keeps them nice and crisp.
- Salt and pepper – A simple seasoning that lets you adjust the flavor right at the end to suit your taste.
How To Make
Okay, let’s put all of these ingredients together and make this Chicken and Cashew Pasta Salad. I’ll take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Cook the rotini in well-salted water according to the package directions until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool completely.
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- In a large bowl, add the chicken, pineapple, celery, green onions, grapes, and dried cranberries. Once the pasta has cooled, gently fold it into the chicken mixture until everything is evenly combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and sugar until smooth. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently until everything is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to come together. Right before serving, stir in the cashews and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great make-ahead recipe. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. For the best texture, wait to add the cashews until just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Why does my pasta salad seem drier the next day?
As it sits, the pasta naturally absorbs some of the dressing, which can make the salad look a little dry over time. This is easy to fix by stirring in a bit more ranch dressing or mayonnaise until it reaches the consistency you like.
How should leftovers be stored?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Give the salad a quick stir before serving again and adjust the seasoning or dressing if needed to freshen it up.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Farmers Market Pasta Salad
- Italian Sub Pasta Salad
- Chicken Club Pasta Salad
- Tortellini Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Southwest Pasta Salad
I really hope you give this Chicken and Cashew Pasta Salad a try and make it part of your own collection of go-to recipes. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think or see how you’ve made it your own. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Chicken and Cashew Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 4 cups cooked chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
- 20 ounces pineapple tidbits well drained
- 1½ cups sliced celery
- ¾ cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 cup seedless red grapes halved
- 1 cup seedless green grapes halved
- 5 ounces dried cranberries
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 cups salted cashews
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rotini in well-salted water according to the package directions until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken, pineapple, celery, green onions, grapes, and dried cranberries. Once the pasta has cooled, gently fold it into the chicken mixture until everything is evenly combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and sugar until smooth. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently until everything is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to come together. Right before serving, stir in the cashews and season with salt and pepper to taste.
This variation of chicken pasta salad looks delicious – thank you for sharing!
I love the “old school” recipes you choose to share because they’re familiar, comforting, & a little fun/quirky, but are still usually satisfyingly healthful & fresh (& colorful!) with the addition of things like fruits, veg, & nuts — they always strike a nice balance without going too far in either direction. Reading your recipes is like flipping through a lifestyle magazine from the 90s/00s in the best way!
I think you just made my entire month! Thank you so much!
xo Michael