Creamy Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad with Craisins and Grapes
This delightful Creamy Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. It features tender diced chicken, al-dente bow tie pasta, and an array of fresh fruits and crunchy cashews, all enveloped in a creamy dressing. The tangy sweetness of dried cranberries and juicy grapes perfectly complements the rich, savory elements of this dish. Ideal for gatherings, it not only serves as a satisfying main dish but also makes a colorful and elegant side at any summer occasion. Prep it ahead of time for ultimate convenience—it's a crowd-pleaser that will have your guests coming back for more!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked chicken breasts, diced
4 cups (Cooked and diced)
Bow tie pasta
6 cups (Cooked al dente)
Green grapes
1 1/2 cups (Sliced in half)
Red grapes
1 1/2 cups (Sliced in half)
Water chestnuts
2 (5 ounce) cans (Drained and quartered)
Pineapple tidbits
1 (10 ounce) can (Drained)
Celery
2 cups (Thinly sliced)
Scallion (green onions)
1/2 cup (Thinly sliced)
Cashews
2 cups (Whole and halves)
Craisins (dried cranberries)
2 cups (None)
Hidden Valley brand coleslaw dressing
1 (16 ounce) bottle (None)
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup (None)
Miracle Whip
1/2 cup (None)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sliced grapes, drained water chestnuts, pineapple tidbits, sliced celery, and scallions. Stir gently to blend the ingredients.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the coleslaw dressing, mayonnaise, and Miracle Whip until smooth.
4
Pour the dressing mixture over the salad ingredients and toss well to coat everything evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or ideally up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to develop.
5
Just before serving, add the cashews and dried cranberries to the salad and give it a gentle toss. Serve chilled for a refreshing dish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad with Craisins and Grapes?
It is a flavorful salad featuring diced chicken, bow tie pasta, fresh grapes, crunchy cashews, and dried cranberries in a creamy dressing.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
Bow tie pasta is recommended for this dish.
How much chicken is required?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of cooked and diced chicken breasts.
What types of grapes are used?
Both green and red grapes are used, with 1 1/2 cups of each.
How should the grapes be prepared?
The grapes should be sliced in half.
What provides the crunch in this salad?
Cashews, water chestnuts, and celery provide a satisfying crunch to the salad.
When should I add the cashews?
Add the cashews just before serving to ensure they stay crunchy.
What type of dressing is used?
The dressing is a mix of Hidden Valley coleslaw dressing, mayonnaise, and Miracle Whip.
How much coleslaw dressing is needed?
One 16-ounce bottle of Hidden Valley brand coleslaw dressing is required.
Is there a specific refrigeration time?
Yes, the salad should be refrigerated for at least 12 hours, ideally up to 24 hours, before serving.
Can I add the Craisins early?
It is best to add the Craisins just before serving along with the cashews.
How much bow tie pasta should I cook?
You should use 6 cups of cooked al dente bow tie pasta.
What size are the water chestnuts?
The recipe uses two 5-ounce cans of water chestnuts, drained and quartered.
What type of pineapple is included?
One 10-ounce can of drained pineapple tidbits is used.
How much celery is in the salad?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of thinly sliced celery.
Do I need to include onions?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of thinly sliced scallions (green onions).
How many cashews should I use?
You will need 2 cups of whole and halved cashews.
What is the amount of dried cranberries?
The recipe requires 2 cups of Craisins.
Can I use only mayonnaise instead of adding Miracle Whip?
The recipe specifies a combination of 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup Miracle Whip for the best flavor profile.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This salad should be served chilled.
Is this a good dish for parties?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser and ideal for summer gatherings and parties.
Should the pasta be fully cooked?
The pasta should be cooked al dente according to package instructions.
How do I prepare the chicken?
The chicken breasts should be cooked and then diced into 4 cups worth of pieces.
What is the first step in making this salad?
The first step is cooking the bow tie pasta and allowing it to cool.
What is the consistency of the dressing?
The dressing is smooth and creamy once the coleslaw dressing, mayo, and Miracle Whip are whisked together.
Can this be a main dish?
Yes, it serves as a satisfying main dish or an elegant side dish.
How do I ensure the flavors develop properly?
By allowing the dressed salad to refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours before adding the final toppings.
What kind of container should I use for chilling?
Use a large mixing bowl that can be covered before placing it in the refrigerator.
Are the pineapple tidbits fresh or canned?
The recipe specifies using a 10-ounce can of drained pineapple tidbits.
What is the overall flavor profile?
The salad offers a blend of tangy sweetness from the fruit and dressing with rich, savory elements from the chicken and cashews.