This easy to make BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad with creamy BBQ sauce, packed with fresh greens, black beans, grilled corn, homemade lemon dressing and tender chicken is the perfect summer side dish that makes you feel like you’re at a barbecue in the garden! To make this summer pasta healthier, I replaced the gluten-free rotini or fusilli pasta with protein-rich chickpea pasta.
To make this easy BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad — All you have to do is grill the marinated chicken, boil your pasta, then toss everything with a creamy sauce flavored with smoked paprika and lemon (it’s a great way to use up leftover grilled corn, too). I start by putting the chicken on the grill while the pasta water is boiling, and by the time the pasta has cooled, the chicken is ready to carve.
BBQ chicken pasta salad is a healthy pasta salad to make ahead of time, or a satisfying dish for summer gatherings. Enjoy it for lunch and save the rest for dinner. Or serve it at your next dinner in the garden with your family and friends. Perfect to enjoy from summer until the end of fall you will love it
Ingredients
Yield: 6 Servings
- Gluten-free Rotini or Fusilli Pasta – 10 ounces (like Jovial)
- BBQ Grilled Chicken – 2 cups (Shredded)
- Grilled or Roasted Corn – 1.5 cups
- Black beans – 1 can (Drained and Rinsed)
- Red Onion – 1/3 cup (finely diced)
- Avocado – 1 large (diced)
- Fresh Cilantro – 2 tablespoons (Chopped)
- Sea Salt
BBQ Cream Dressing:
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt – 1/3 cup
- BBQ sauce (Look for no added sugar) – 2 tablespoons
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 3 tablespoons
- Lime Juice – 1 large lime
- Smoked Paprika – ½ teaspoon
- Salt and Pepper
BBQ Grilled Chicken:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – 1 pound
- Avocado Oil – 1 tablespoon
- BBQ Seasoning Blend – 2 teaspoons
- Sea Salt
Suggestions alternatives:
- Healthy – Replace Gluten-free Rotini or Fusilli Pasta with protein-rich chickpea pasta, and add more bell peppers.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the pasta according to the package instructions until tender. Once cooked, rinse it with cold water to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally into thin strips (This helps them cook faster). Brush the strips with avocado oil, then season on both sides with barbecue seasoning and sea salt.
Step 3: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, then grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 7 to 10 minutes before shredding it thinly using two forks.
Step 4: If using fresh corn, grill the ears directly on the grill until they are light golden, then separate the kernels from the cob. If using frozen corn, grill it in a hot pan with a little oil until golden char marks appear.
Step 5: Whisk all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth — Taste and add a few drops of lemon juice or salt if needed.
Step 6: Combine the cooked pasta, shredded grilled chicken, grilled corn, red onion, black beans, avocado, and cilantro in a large bowl. Pour the sauce over it and toss well until all the ingredients are coated.
Step 7: Serve, or refrigerate for an hour or more before serving.
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
You’ll absolutely love this BBQ chicken pasta salad — It’s so delicious! The healthy BBQ chicken adds lean protein to keep you feeling full, while the corn and avocado provide healthy fats and antioxidants, and the black beans offer minerals and fiber. This pasta salad is both tasty and filling, perfect for anyone looking for a meal that will keep fresh in the fridge for days. Lovely to serve with a large glass of chilled sparkling lemonade or a cup of unsweetened iced tea with a sprig of mint. It’s light and refreshing, and a great way to enjoy the goodness of summer.
I’m so excited to hear what you think of the BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad! It’s a Healthy and delicious, and easy to make meal. Let me know if you try this summer pasta, I’d love to hear your feedback.
Please come back and leave a comment below to tell us how your BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad turned out, or if you added any extra vegetables or have a favorite BBQ sauce.
BBQ chicken pasta salad
This smoky and delicious grilled chicken pasta salad is the perfect quick dinner or a great side dish for the garden! It's packed with grilled chicken, sweetcorn, black beans, and avocado, all drenched in a creamy lemon dressing. Quick to make, fresh, and incredibly easy.
Ingredients
- 10 oz gluten-free rotini or fusilli pasta
- 2 cups shredded BBQ grilled chicken
- 1.5 cups grilled or roasted corn
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Sea salt
BBQ Cream Dressing
- 1/3 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce, no added sugar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lime
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
BBQ Grilled Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning blend
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the pasta according to the package instructions until tender — Once cooked, rinse it with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Slice the chicken breasts horizontally into thin strips (This helps them cook faster). Brush the strips with avocado oil, then season on both sides with barbecue seasoning and sea salt.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, then grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 7 to 10 minutes before shredding it thinly using two forks.
- If using fresh corn, grill the ears directly on the grill until they are light golden, then separate the kernels from the cob. If using frozen corn, grill it in a hot pan with a little oil until golden char marks appear.
- Whisk all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth — Taste and add a few drops of lemon juice or salt if needed.
- Combine the cooked pasta, shredded grilled chicken, grilled corn, red onion, black beans, avocado, and cilantro in a large bowl. Pour the sauce over it and toss well until all the ingredients are coated.
- Serve, or refrigerate for an hour or more before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 Amounts Per Serving:Calories: 420Saturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 917mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 7gSugar: 7gProtein: 57gJust a heads up — The calorie count and nutritional info here are just estimates! The actual numbers might vary a bit depending on the brands and ingredients you use.