Cherry Chicken Pasta Salad

This sweet and crunchy pasta salad is one of our most popular deli items … and now you can make it yourself at home!


SERVINGS

6-8

PREP TIME

30 min

COOK TIME

20 min

Ingredients

  • 1
    tablespoon vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 1/4
    pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1
    16-ounce package dry gnocchi or shell pasta
  • 3/4
    cup thinly sliced celery
  • 3/4
    cup chopped red onion
  • 1
    5-ounce package dried cherries
  • 1 1/4
    cups mayonnaise
  • 1 1/4
    cups L&B Poppy Seed Dressing
  • 1 1/2
    teaspoons salt
  • 1/4
    teaspoon black pepper
  • 1
    cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • Lettuce or spinach, for serving

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet. Brown the chicken breasts on all sides until the juices run clear, about 15 minutes. Drain and discard the juices.

  2. 2

    Remove the chicken from the pan, cool and cut into cubes. Tip: for even faster prep, use our L&B Ready To Heat Pulled Chicken in the deli.

  3. 3

    Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

  4. 4

    In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pasta, celery, onions and cherries.

  5. 5

    In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, L&B Poppy Seed Dressing, salt, and pepper.

  6. 6

    Fold 1 ¾ cups dressing mixture into the salad, cover, and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Note: the remaining dressing mixture should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

  7. 7

    To serve, fold in the walnuts, add additional dressing if desired, and serve over a bed of your favorite greens.