This Chicken and Cherries Pasta Salad is made with tender pasta, sweetened dried cherries, toasted almonds, diced chicken and then tossed in a rich, creamy homemade dressing. It’s a crowd favorite for backyard cookouts, game day parties, picnics or an easy weeknight meal!

This Pasta Salad recipe is easy to whip up using simple ingredients, all tossed with a delicious dressing, it can be made ahead of time and of course – it’s absolutely delicious! Cold pasta salads are at the top of my favorite summer foods list. Do I enjoy sneaking spoonfuls of it from the fridge while everyone’s melting in the hot sun outside? Of course! 😉 Pasta salads are the ultimate make-ahead meal and I love how well most of them keep for a few days so you can have easy lunches during the week. 

When I lived in Minneapolis, there was a D’amico & Sons a few blocks from our neighborhood and they had the tastiest, fresh salads. It was a favorite hangout for my friends and I after park play-dates with our kids and this salad was my absolute favorite from their menu. I’ve been making this salad at home for a few years & I’m so excited to share it with you guys. With summer approaching, quick and delicious meals are a win in my kitchen and this will not disappoint!!

My Chicken and Cherries Pasta Salad takes me right back to those hot, sticky summers in Minneapolis!

Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

Dressing

• 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Pasta Salad

• 1/2 lb Fusilli pasta
• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cherries 
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and vinegar together. Add mayo, water, salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Set aside. 
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add Fusilli pasta and boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse under cold water.
3. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, cherries, onion, celery, and almonds. Pour dressing over top and toss mixture to evenly coat. 
4. Chill for 2 hours and serve. Store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.