Summer Cashew Chicken Grape Pasta Salad Recipes

CASHEW-CHICKEN ROTINI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, pineapple, celery, onions, grapes and cranberries. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; stir into chicken mixture., In a small bowl, whisk the ranch dressing and mayonnaise. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, stir in cashews.

CASHEW CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Mix pasta with chicken, green pepper, and green onions in a large bowl.
• Mix mayonnaise, brown sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt together in a small bowl until well blended. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and stir well to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate until flavors are combined and dressing is thickened, 8 hours to overnight. Stir in cashews just before serving, or no more than 2 hours ahead.

SUMMER CASHEW CHICKEN GRAPE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil 1 lb. of pasta - al dente - according to package directions (I use rigatoni). Drain after cooking and let cool.
• While the pasta is boiling, wash and halve the grapes.
• Dice the cooked chicken into bite sized pieces.
• In a large bowl or serving platter, combine the cooled, drained pasta with the grapes and diced chicken. Stir in the mayonnaise. I start with one cup of mayo and add more as needed. Really, just add as much as you personally like - it may be more or less than 2 cups.
• Stir in the Lawry's seasoning salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Again, add to your liking. You may want more or less than 1/2 teaspoon of any of these - - it's your choice, go with what you like. Frequent sampling at this point will help you decide what your preference will be so grab a fork and start sampling!
• If the salad is too thick and rich for your liking, stir in a couple tablespoons milk to thin it out. This part is optional.
• This salad is always much better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld. This is when I usually add milk to loosen it up a bit.
• Before serving, plate or dish up the salad and sprinkle cashew pieces on top of individual servings. DO NOT put the cashew pieces on the entire salad and refrigerate - - this will cause the cashew pieces to become soft and rubbery and nobody wants that! I just set the can of cashews on the table and let guests help themselves.
• Sit back and enjoy your sweat free cold summer salad!

CHICKEN CASHEW PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool.
• Mix green onions, chicken, grapes, salad dressing and cashews in large bowl. Add pasta and stir just to blend. Add more salad dressing if desired.
• Chill and Enjoy.