BBQ chicken pasta salad is the perfect side dish for any cookout made with BBQ chicken, ranch, tomatoes, corn, black beans & cilantro!
This BBQ chicken pasta salad recipe is an incredible dish to serve for any occasion. We like making this one with air fryer chicken thighs, Dr. Pepper pulled pork, and lemon gooey butter cake!
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 A great make ahead recipe for your next outdoor BBQ!
📌 The crispy crunch of the fried onion topping.
📌 The flavor combination of the BBQ chicken, corn, tomatoes, black beans and fresh cilantro!
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Chicken – Skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs diced into bite size pieces.
- BBQ sauce – Your favorite brand, divided.
- Pasta – We used bowtie but any short pasta will work.
- Ranch – Your favorite brand of ranch dressing.
- Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes, halved.
- Corn – Sweet corn, drained.
- Black beans – Drained and rinsed.
- Cilantro – Chopped.
- Fried onions – The packaged kind, for the topping.
Chicken, beans, corn, bbq sauce, pasta, tomatoes, ranch, crispy onions.
How do you make a barbecue chicken pasta salad? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, cook the chicken in bbq sauce on the stove top until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has become more of a glaze. Set aside to cool.
⭐ Next, prepare pasta according to package directions to al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
⭐ Then, in a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled chicken, pasta, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, tomatoes, corn, beans and cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
⭐ Finally, chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator before serving. Top with crispy fried onions and fresh cilantro just before serving.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Cook until the chicken is done and bbq sauce has become a glaze.
Preparation
What type of chicken to use for BBQ chicken pasta salad?
You can use either skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts for this recipe. You could also use chopped rotisserie chicken or pre-made baked chicken as a shortcut.
What type of pasta is best for BBQ chicken pasta salad?
We used bowtie pasta but any short pasta will work for this recipe. Penne, elbows, shells, rotini or any other variety of short pasta.
What if I don’t like cilantro?
If cilantro isn’t your thing, you can swap it for freshly chopped parsley.
Can I make BBQ chicken pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, this actually tastes better after chilling in the fridge for a while so this is the perfect make ahead dish for your next BBQ!
Add cooked chicken, cooked pasta, and remaining ingredients except onions to a large bowl and mix.
Storage and leftovers
How long does BBQ chicken pasta salad last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Toss with a bit more BBQ sauce if desired.
Can I freeze BBQ chicken pasta salad?
We don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Stir gently to combine.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add in some thinly sliced red onion if desired.
✅ For a spin on flavors, add in some crumbled bacon, shredded cheese or even pineapple!
✅ The cilantro can be left out or substituted with chopped parsley.
✅ Chopped red and green peppers are a delicious addition to this salad.
✅ Use up your leftover BBQ chicken with this recipe!
Refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a different type of meat instead of chicken?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken with other types of meat such as turkey, ham, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is it possible to make this salad gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply use a gluten-free pasta and ensure that the BBQ sauce and ranch dressing you use are gluten-free.
Can I serve this salad warm?
While this salad is typically served chilled, you can serve it warm if you prefer. Just combine the ingredients while they are still warm and serve immediately.
How can I make this salad spicier?
To add some heat, consider adding diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or using a spicy BBQ sauce.
Can I add more vegetables to this salad?
Yes, feel free to add more vegetables such as bell peppers, red onions, avocado, or even shredded carrots for extra crunch and nutrition.
Can I add cheese to this salad?
Yes, adding shredded cheese such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or feta can add a nice flavor and texture to the salad.
Top with cilantro and crispy onions right before serving.
What to enjoy with bbq chicken pasta salad (serving suggestions)
This flavorful pasta salad is perfect for any get together. It goes great with grilled pork chops, smoked chicken thighs, 7 layer salad, and cookie salad. If you made our instant pot bbq chicken recipe and have leftovers, toss them into this recipe!
Creamy, delicious, and full of bold flavors.
More great pasta salads
- Caprese pasta salad
- Italian pasta salad
- Tuna pasta salad
- Amish macaroni salad
- Tortellini salad
- Best macaroni salad
- See all our easy pasta salad recipes
Other awesome BBQ chicken recipes
- BBQ chicken nachos
- Air fryer BBQ chicken tacos
- BBQ chicken pizza
- Baked BBQ chicken
- BBQ chicken taquitos
- See all our easy bbq recipes
😍😍😍
Tools we love
- Spoons – Are you a large spoon or small spoon person? My husband teases me because I use a teaspoon for everything.
- Stainless steel mixing bowls – Classic, basic, mixing bowls that everyone should have in your kitchen. You’ve seen me use them on the cooking show at least seventy bajillion times. Ish.
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How to Make BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless/skinless) diced into bite size pieces
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce divided: ½ cup and 1 cup
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 can sweet corn (15 ounces) drained
- 1 can black beans (15 ounces) drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Add diced chicken and ½ cup bbq sauce to a skillet and cook over high/medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 8 - 10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened to a glaze. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare pasta to al dente, per package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combing cooked chicken, pasta, remaining 1 cup of bbq sauce, ranch dressing, halved tomatoes, rinsed beans, and fresh chopped cilantro.
- Toss gently to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the flavors to combined. Top with more cilantro and crispy fried onions before serving.
Notes
- Add in some thinly sliced red onion if desired.
- For a spin on flavors, add in some crumbled bacon, shredded cheese or even pineapple!
- The cilantro can be left out or substituted with chopped parsley.
- Chopped red and green peppers are a delicious addition to this salad.
- Use up your leftover BBQ chicken with this recipe!
Nutrition
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BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
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Beth says
This is what I call pasta salad! This is such a great change from the standard mayo-based pasta or chicken salad I usually make. It’s so tasty!
Amanda says
Fantastic flavor and this is sure to be a huge hit with everyone that tries it!
Sandra says
Made this yesterday and everyone loved it! So flavorful and refreshing! My new favorite salad to make!
Catalina says
I made the BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad for a potluck, and everyone raved about it! The combination of BBQ chicken, pasta, and veggies is just perfect. This will be my go-to pasta salad from now on.