Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad takes the popular flavors of Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a flavor-packed pasta salad with the absolute best dressing.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
This Marry Me Chicken has been a family favorite in my home for the past year. There’s a reason it’s known for sparking proposals—it’s just that good!
Now that the weather’s heating up, I decided to turn those satisfying flavors into an straightforward, tasty pasta salad. It’s the best summer meal! And while it’s great as a side, this salad is filling enough to be the main dish.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad:
- Fusilli Bucati: This fun shape grabs onto dressing really well.
- Cucumbers: English cucumbers have fewer seeds and better flavor.
- Cherry tomatoes: Cut in half for straightforward bites and even flavor.
- Cooked chicken: Use leftover grilled, baked, or rotisserie chicken.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: The ones packed in oil and herbs add the most flavor.
- Feta cheese: Use a block of feta and crumble it yourself for better flavor.
- Fresh basil leaves: Gently tear by hand to keep it from browning.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad Dressing Ingredients
- Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil gives the best flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds tangy flavor; red wine vinegar also works.
- Garlic paste or minced garlic: Garlic paste blends in nicely.
- Dijon mustard: Gives dressing a rich flavor and nice thickness.
- Honey: Adds sweetness. Feel free to adjust this to taste.
- Italian seasoning: A dried herb blend is reliable here.
- Salt and pepper: Add more to taste after mixing the salad.
What To Serve With Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad
- Grilled veggies: Grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or summer squash for a colorful side.
- Fresh fruit salad: Sweet fruits nicely balance out the savory pasta salad.
- Corn on the cob: Grilled, boiled, or try it Mexican-style!
- Crusty bread: Serve slices of fresh no-knead bread to round out the meal. Plus, it’s reliable for scooping up leftover dressing.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad Swaps
- Try a new pasta: Use penne, bowties, or rotini instead like in this marry me pasta.
- Change the meat: Swap chicken for diced cold cuts or try chickpeas for no meat.
- Add greens: Mix in baby spinach for more color.
- Use a new cheese: Try mozzarella balls instead.
- Add spice: Add some red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Add crunch: Top with toasted nuts, seeds, or crispy bacon.
Storage
Keep salad ingredients and dressing in separate sealed containers in the fridge. Mix right before serving. This salad tastes best the same day once it’s been dressed.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
- Chicken Pasta Salad with loads of fresh veggies and crispy bacon
- Greek Pasta Salad with a simple dressing
- Taco Pasta Salad with a creamy dressing
- BLT Pasta Salad with bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with black beans and corn
