cherry chicken pasta salad

by anutritionisteats on May 4, 2010

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!


Related posts:

  1. greek pasta salad
  2. thai coconut-lime soup with chicken
  3. spring vegetable pasta
  4. arugula & apple salad
  5. zucchini linguine with herbs

{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

holly (the healthy everythingtarian) May 4, 2010 at 8:41 am

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!

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holly (the healthy everythingtarian) May 4, 2010 at 8:41 am

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!

Reply

Mo@MommyRD May 4, 2010 at 10:23 am

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!

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Mo@MommyRD May 4, 2010 at 10:23 am

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!

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Mary Beth Hughes May 4, 2010 at 11:03 am

I can say first hand that this re-worked cherry chicken salad was delicious!

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Anna May 5, 2010 at 8:33 am

I agree with Mary Beth! It was very good!

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Mary Beth Hughes May 4, 2010 at 11:03 am

I can say first hand that this re-worked cherry chicken salad was delicious!

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Anna May 5, 2010 at 8:33 am

I agree with Mary Beth! It was very good!

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catherine (FOOD SNOB) May 4, 2010 at 12:55 pm

You’re torturing me! Chicken salad might be the only meat food that I really miss . . . add cherries, and that’s practically irresistable!

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catherine (FOOD SNOB) May 4, 2010 at 12:55 pm

You’re torturing me! Chicken salad might be the only meat food that I really miss . . . add cherries, and that’s practically irresistable!

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Kate May 4, 2010 at 1:34 pm

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!

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Kate May 4, 2010 at 1:34 pm

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!

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thehealthyjunky May 4, 2010 at 2:42 pm

This sounds like such a great alternative. I love dried cherries in all my foods!

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thehealthyjunky May 4, 2010 at 2:42 pm

This sounds like such a great alternative. I love dried cherries in all my foods!

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Dawn (HealthySDLiving) May 4, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Mmmmm this looks great! I love the cranberries in there!

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Dawn (HealthySDLiving) May 4, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Mmmmm this looks great! I love the cranberries in there!

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Lori May 4, 2010 at 4:43 pm

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.

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Lori May 4, 2010 at 4:43 pm

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.

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Erika (Dr.TriRunner) May 4, 2010 at 5:12 pm

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.

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Erika (Dr.TriRunner) May 4, 2010 at 5:12 pm

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.

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Sagan May 4, 2010 at 5:17 pm

Delish- I love the addition of dried cherries!

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Sagan May 4, 2010 at 5:17 pm

Delish- I love the addition of dried cherries!

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cozydelicious May 4, 2010 at 6:20 pm

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.

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cozydelicious May 4, 2010 at 6:20 pm

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.

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Nicole @ Making Good Choices May 4, 2010 at 7:36 pm

This looks like a perfect lunch or dinner. It looks so filling with a perfect amount of healthy pasta to fill you up!

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Nicole @ Making Good Choices May 4, 2010 at 7:36 pm

This looks like a perfect lunch or dinner. It looks so filling with a perfect amount of healthy pasta to fill you up!

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Julie @ Pickley Pear May 4, 2010 at 8:27 pm

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!!

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Julie @ Pickley Pear May 4, 2010 at 8:27 pm

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!!

Reply

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