A Twin Cities chain of grocery stores has a cherry chicken pasta salad that is truly hard to resist. I don’t even know how or why I tried this – it really isn’t my style, but I may or may not get a small container of it on Friday afternoons. While it is undeniably delicious, I knew it could be equally delicious made-over.
The pasta could be whole-grain, the chicken, well, it would preferably be organic or free-range and the mayo and poppy seed dressing? Could definitely benefit from some lightening. So here it is – it may not be as creamy as the store version, but it is certainly a lot better for you and I promise you won’t miss all the mayo!
Cherry Chicken Pasta Salad – makes a large bowl
- 8 oz whole-grain penne
- 8 oz chicken thighs, cooked and chopped (we grilled ours)
- 3 oz dried cherries
- 5 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 bunch of green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Briannas poppy seed dressing
Prepare pasta as directed. Let cool. Combine mayo and poppy seed dressing and stir until combined. Toss with remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for 2 hours minimum. Serve over greens or straight from the bowl!
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
i cannot even tell you how much i miss lunds/byerlys. their deli is my fave. and i LOVE the simplicity of this dish – the perfect salad for a summer picnic!
can you tell i am ready for some HOT weather?
hope you are well dear – love ya!
i cannot even tell you how much i miss lunds/byerlys. their deli is my fave. and i LOVE the simplicity of this dish – the perfect salad for a summer picnic!
can you tell i am ready for some HOT weather?
hope you are well dear – love ya!
I miss shopping at Byerly’s.
Now, you are only adding to my ‘to try’ list. BTW, I made your rhubarb strawberry crostini and avocado lime coleslaw over the weekend. Blog post coming soon – they were great!
I miss shopping at Byerly’s.
Now, you are only adding to my ‘to try’ list. BTW, I made your rhubarb strawberry crostini and avocado lime coleslaw over the weekend. Blog post coming soon – they were great!
I can say first hand that this re-worked cherry chicken salad was delicious!
I agree with Mary Beth! It was very good!
I can say first hand that this re-worked cherry chicken salad was delicious!
I agree with Mary Beth! It was very good!
You’re torturing me! Chicken salad might be the only meat food that I really miss . . . add cherries, and that’s practically irresistable!
You’re torturing me! Chicken salad might be the only meat food that I really miss . . . add cherries, and that’s practically irresistable!
we sell something similar in the deli case at my lovely little coffee shop
i havent tried and dont think i will as yours looks WAY better!
we sell something similar in the deli case at my lovely little coffee shop
i havent tried and dont think i will as yours looks WAY better!
This sounds like such a great alternative. I love dried cherries in all my foods!
This sounds like such a great alternative. I love dried cherries in all my foods!
Mmmmm this looks great! I love the cranberries in there!
Mmmmm this looks great! I love the cranberries in there!
I’m definitely going to try this with some chicken leftovers. I’m always adding cranberries to my chicken/tuna salads. The cherries are a nice change.
I’m definitely going to try this with some chicken leftovers. I’m always adding cranberries to my chicken/tuna salads. The cherries are a nice change.
I LOVE Lunds/Byerlys. And their restaurant!! And now that I’m eating meat again….!
I need someone to show me how to cook chicken though… I’ve obviously never had to before, and my first attempt the other day was a major FAIL.
I LOVE Lunds/Byerlys. And their restaurant!! And now that I’m eating meat again….!
I need someone to show me how to cook chicken though… I’ve obviously never had to before, and my first attempt the other day was a major FAIL.
Delish- I love the addition of dried cherries!
Delish- I love the addition of dried cherries!
Yum! This looks amazing. I love Brianna’s dressings. And what a great idea to add dried cherries. This is the perfect take-to-work lunch.
Yum! This looks amazing. I love Brianna’s dressings. And what a great idea to add dried cherries. This is the perfect take-to-work lunch.
This looks like a perfect lunch or dinner. It looks so filling with a perfect amount of healthy pasta to fill you up!
This looks like a perfect lunch or dinner. It looks so filling with a perfect amount of healthy pasta to fill you up!
Deli salads are the best! I always try to make them myself, but for some reason they just never quite taste as great (without the fat). I love cherries!!
Deli salads are the best! I always try to make them myself, but for some reason they just never quite taste as great (without the fat). I love cherries!!