Description

This cashew chicken pasta salad is a crunchy, creamy, and flavor-packed dish perfect for parties, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch. Loaded with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and roasted cashews, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to customize and comes together quickly.

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or bowties)
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
1 cup roasted salted cashews, roughly chopped
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
4 green onions, sliced (white and green parts)
1 large carrot, peeled and grated (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise (avocado mayo recommended)
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
Dice or shred cooked chicken breast. Dice red bell pepper, slice celery, thinly slice green onions, and grate carrot. Chop parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, rice vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. If dressing is too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of water.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, bell pepper, celery, green onions, carrots, and parsley. Pour dressing over the top.
Sprinkle in roasted cashews just before serving for maximum crunch.
Gently toss everything with a spatula or salad tongs until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Optional: Cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with extra cashews and parsley if desired.

Notes

Add cashews just before serving to maintain crunch. For gluten-free, use GF pasta. For nut-free, swap cashews for sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Chill for 30 minutes for best flavor. Double the recipe for large gatherings. If salad seems dry after chilling, stir in a spoonful of mayo or yogurt.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
Calories: 420
Sugar: 7
Sodium: 480
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 38
Fiber: 4
Protein: 23

Keywords: cashew chicken pasta salad, party salad, crunchy salad, chicken salad, pasta salad, potluck recipe, easy lunch, high protein salad, creamy dressing, crowd pleaser