Cherry Chicken Pasta Salad
June 13, 2024
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
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1tablespoon vegetable oil, for frying
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2 1/4pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
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116-ounce package dry gnocchi or shell pasta
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3/4cup thinly sliced celery
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3/4cup chopped red onion
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15-ounce package dried cherries
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1 1/4cups mayonnaise
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1 1/4cups L&B Poppy Seed Dressing
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1 1/2teaspoons salt
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1/4teaspoon black pepper
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1cup chopped walnuts, toasted
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Lettuce or spinach, for serving
Directions
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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.
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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.
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3
Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
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4
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pasta, celery, onions and cherries.
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5
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, L&B Poppy Seed Dressing, salt, and pepper.
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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.
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7
To serve, fold in the walnuts, add additional dressing if desired, and serve over a bed of your favorite greens.