Creamy Shell Chicken Pasta Salad

by raychei
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This Creamy Shell Chicken Pasta salad is loaded with apples, celery, and grapes. The BEST side dish for summer BBQs, potlucks, cookouts, or picnics.

creamy shell chicken pasta salad

This recipe is one of our favorites as well as the crowd pleasing favorite that is quick & easy to make. It features fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, tender pasta and of course creamy dressing.

INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you need to make this recipe:

Shell pasta. You can use your favorite brand, as long as you use the medium size shell or the conchiglie.

Creamy shell pasta chicken salad

Rotisserie chicken. This is the trick to making this salad easy. No need to cook your chicken, just use 2 cups of rotisserie chicken. It saves you time.

Vegetables. Celery and red onion. These two are one of the classics, because it gives the salad a pleasant crunch.

Fruits. Apples & Grapes gives this salad a nice crisp and fresh flavor. 

creamy dressing

Creamy Dressing. Mayonnaise, mustard and sugar and milk. 

For option you can also add condensed milk for additional creaminess. Adding a little condensed milk is one of my secret. 🙂 However, feel free to use sugar.

How to make this Creamy Shell Chicken Pasta Salad

  •  Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water.
  •  Shred your rotisserie chicken, set aside.
  • Chop your Apples, Grapes, Celery and Red Onion.

For easier chopping this handy dandy vegetable chopper/dicer is a great tool in making this delicious salad. https://shrsl.com/3gtmf  It’s multifunctional and a compact tool to easily chop your veggies.

To make the Dressing:

In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, salt & pepper to make your creamy dressing.

  • Add your cooked pasta, apples, grapes, celery, red onion and chicken to the bowl.

Creamy shell chicken pasta salad

  • Toss all the ingredients together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.
  • Cover and chill your Creamy Shell Chicken pasta salad in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. 

Why do we love this creamy salad?

This loaded Creamy Shell Chicken pasta salad is filling enough to be a meal. I love eating this for lunch, if we still have some leftovers. Since this salad the house favorite, there’s no summer BBQ without this Creamy Chicken pasta salad.

If you are looking for the BEST salad to make, especially during summer time, try this recipe. For sure, your gonna love all the textures and flavors of this salad. And, because of its versatility you can serve it often. 

Can I make this ahead of time?

YES, this recipe is perfect for making the day before. It will give all the ingredients time to mingle and will be ready for serving the next day. Chilling overnight is the best for this salad.

How long will this Creamy Shell Chicken pasta salad last in the fridge?

This creamy shell pasta salad will last for up to five days in the refregirator, if you put your salad in an airtight container.

Looking for more delicious salad recipes? Please check these out.

Mango & Cucumber Salad with Lime Dressing

Easy Summer Fruit Salad Recipe

Green Bean & Potato Salad

RANCH PASTA SALAD

The Best CORN & CUCUMBER SALAD

ASIAN CHOPPED SALAD

CEASAR PASTA SALAD

creamy shell chicken pasta salad
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Creamy Shell Chicken Pasta Salad

This creamy shell chicken pasta salad is loaded with chicken, apples, grapes, celery and onions. It's the BEST side dish for summer BBQ's, potlucks, cookouts. And it's easy to make.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Shell Pasta (Conchiglie)
  • 2 cups Rotisserie Chicken (shredded)
  • 2 Apples - chopped
  • 1 cup Celery - chopped
  • 1 cup Grapes - chopped
  • 1 medium Red Onion - chopped
  • 2 cups Mayo
  • 2 tbsp Mustard
  • 3 tbsp Milk
  • 2 tbsp Sugar - adjust the taste of sugar if using both sugar and condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup condensed milk (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper

Instructions

  • Boil pasta al dente, according to package directions. Rinse and drain.
  • Shred your rotisserie chicken, set aside.
  • Chopped your apples, grapes, celery and onions.
  • In a small bowl, combine mayo, mustard, sugar, milk, condensed milk, salt & Pepper. Mix well.
  • Place all the ingredients into a large bowl. Add the dressing.
  • Toss all the ingredients together until the salad is well coated with the creamy dressing.
  • Cover and chill, at least two hours before serving.
    Best is overnight.

Notes

Here's some options for pasta: Macaroni pasta, Ditali or Rotini.
For veggies: you can add carrots, sweet bell pepper or Dill pickle.
Raisin or cheese can also be added. 
This recipe is also great, if you want to have it for your sandwich. Just omit the pasta and mix your chicken, creamy dressing and veggies.
If you make this recipe, please take a moment to tag @cookwithrachz on Instagram and hashtag #cookwithrachz.
 

Thanks for stopping by, ENJOY!! 🙂

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to know how it turned out. Please leave a comment below. ⇓

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