Description
This BBQ Chicken with Pasta Salad Bowl is the perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and refreshing flavors. Juicy BBQ chicken is paired with a creamy, veggie-packed pasta salad to create a hearty and satisfying meal. Great for summer gatherings, quick weeknight dinners, or meal prep!
Ingredients
•BBQ Chicken:
•1 lb chicken breast or thighs
•½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
•2 tbsp olive oil
•Salt and pepper, to taste
•Pasta Salad:
•2 cups cooked pasta (e.g., rotini, penne)
•½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
•½ cup cucumber, diced
•¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
•¼ cup shredded carrots
•¼ cup bell peppers, diced
•½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
•Dressing:
•¼ cup mayonnaise
•2 tbsp Greek yogurt (or more mayo)
•1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
•1 tbsp olive oil
•1 tsp honey
•1 tsp Dijon mustard
•Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1.Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
2.Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Brush BBQ sauce over the chicken during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Let rest before slicing.
3.Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4.Assemble the Pasta Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, carrots, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese. Toss with the dressing until evenly coated.
5.Assemble the Bowl: In serving bowls, add a generous scoop of pasta salad and top with sliced BBQ chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley or scallions, if desired.
Notes
•For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in BBQ sauce for 1-2 hours before cooking.
•Swap out cheddar cheese for feta or mozzarella for a flavor twist.
•Use whole-grain or gluten-free pasta to match your dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: ~520 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg