Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Cooked Chicken, Cheddar, and Peas
Looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dish that’s creamy, savory, and loaded with flavor?
This Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Cooked Chicken, cheddar cheese, and peas is the perfect balance of comfort and freshness.
It’s a breeze to make and ideal for a family gathering, picnic, or potluck.
In just 25 minutes, you can whip up a delicious salad that will keep everyone coming back for more!
For the Pasta Salad:
- Bow Tie Pasta – This forms the base of the salad, providing the perfect texture and shape.
- Cheddar Cheese – Adds a sharp, creamy flavor to complement the other ingredients.
- Cooked Chicken – Adds a savory, protein-rich component to the salad.
- White Onion – Finely diced for a slight crunch and subtle sharpness.
- Frozen Peas – Adds a touch of sweetness and color to the salad.
- Red Bell Pepper – For a bit of sweetness and a fresh crunch.
For the Dressing:
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base of the dressing.
- Sweet Relish – Adds a touch of sweetness and tanginess.
- Granulated Sugar – A small amount to enhance the sweetness in the dressing.
- Yellow Mustard – For a hint of tang and flavor balance.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds acidity to balance the richness of the mayo.
- Salt and Pepper – To taste, enhancing all the flavors in the salad.
Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Cooked Chicken, Peas, and Cheddar
Craving a quick and creamy pasta salad that’s loaded with savory cooked chicken, cheddar cheese, and sweet peas? This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
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PinServings: 8 servings
Notes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound bow tie pasta
- 1 cup diced cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
- ½ cup thawed frozen peas
- ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet relish
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, cheddar cheese, cooked chicken, onion, peas, and red bell pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix everything together until well coated.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Nutrition
Calories: 524 kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 530mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 590 IU | Vitamin C: 15.8mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 1.3mg
- Can I swap the pasta for something else?
Yes! Feel free to use any short pasta shape you like – rotini, penne, or even fusilli will work just as well as bow tie pasta. The texture will still be perfect, and it’ll hold the dressing just right! - Do I need to cook the chicken before adding it to the salad?
Nope, if you’re using cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken), it’s already cooked and ready to go! Just dice it up and toss it into the salad for a quick and easy addition. - How far in advance can I make this pasta salad?
You can easily make this ahead! Prep the salad up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover and refrigerate, and it’ll taste even better once the flavors have melded together. - Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Absolutely! You can throw in any of your favorite veggies, like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or even some shredded carrots. Just make sure to keep the textures in balance! - How long can I store the leftovers?
Leftovers will last about 3 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. Just give it a good stir before serving!
