15 Pasta Salads to Make With Leftover Chicken

By Corey Williams
January 21, 2021
Credit: lutzflcat

Don't let your leftover chicken spoil in the back of your fridge! Put it to good use with one of these easy pasta salad recipes. Whether you're in the mood for something creamy and indulgent (try this quick Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad or this irresistible Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad) or something light and fresh (this Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad is wonderfully fruity, and this Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is perfect for summertime picnics and potlucks), you'll come back to this collection of pasta salads to make with leftover chicken again and again. 

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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Credit: Christina
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What's the secret ingredient for this rich pasta salad? A bottle of creamy Caesar salad dressing. Recipe creator sixgermans says, if you want, you can use shrimp instead of chicken. 

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Dill Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad

Credit: Marianne
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"Cooked chicken breast and lemon penne pasta tossed with a creamy buttermilk and dill mixture," says recipe creator Cobra. "A simple and scrumptious solution for those large gatherings with 50 of your closest friends!"

 

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Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Credit: Keisha Rivers
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Make good use of your leftover rotisserie chicken with this delicious deli-style pasta salad, packed with bacon, Muenster cheese, cherry tomatoes, and chopped avocados. 

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Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad

Credit: chibi chef
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"A refreshing light pasta salad with a delicious Asian flair," according to recipe creator ohines. "Great for a summer cookout or picnic. Tastes great right away, and even better if you can allow it to marinate for a while."

 

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Poppy Seed Chicken Pasta Salad

Credit: Sugarplum
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Dried cranberries give this recipe a pop of fruity color, while slivered almonds add a welcome crunch. Here's a tip from recipe creator lee jean: If you omit the pasta, you have a the perfect filling for a chicken salad sandwich. 

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Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad

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This flavorful pasta salad packs a citrusy punch, thanks to canned Mandarin oranges and orange juice. Even picky eaters will ask for seconds, according to recipe creator KATRINP. 

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Credit: CookinBug
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"For anyone who likes Buffalo wings, this is a great change of pace from normal pasta salad," says recipe creator Andrew C. "Really popular as a side dish for a barbeque or just about any gathering you can think of."

 

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Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Salad

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Here's a veggie-packed pasta salad with chicken that everyone will love. This recipe is perfect for hot summer days when you don't want to fire up the oven, according to recipe creator BETHANYGRONBERG.

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Simple Ranch Chicken Macaroni Salad

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It couldn't be easier to make this creamy macaroni salad with just 10 ingredients, including a package of dry Ranch-style dressing mix. The recipe calls for canned chicken, but leftover rotisserie or baked chicken will work just fine. 

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Grilled Chicken and Pasta Salad

Credit: sugarplum
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"This salad is very filling and is used as a meal in my home," says recipe creator Ann Marie. "Everyone always loves it! It is also quick and easy. Note: I have also added olives, hard boiled eggs, and red bell pepper to this salad."

 

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Barbecue Chicken Pasta Salad

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If you like barbecue chicken, you'll love this zesty pasta salad. Use a bottle of your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or make some homemade sauce with this top-rate recipe.

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Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Credit: lutzflcat
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This fresh and fruity pasta salad — made with basil, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and the juice of one whole lemon — will quickly become a summertime staple. 

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Pool Party Pasta Salad

Credit: megan handelin
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"I think the wonderful thing about this recipe is how quick and easy it is, " says reviewer ROACHELLEY. "Not to mention cheap. I got ALL of the ingredients for under $10."

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Chicken Noodle Salad

Credit: Chef John
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"Get ready to make all sorts of friends when you bring a big bowl of this Asian chicken noodle salad to the next big cookout," says Chef John. "The only folks you might scare away are the ones who brought regular pasta salads."

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Best Chicken Pasta Salad

Credit: Best Chicken Pasta Salad
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"This wonderful chicken and pasta salad is perfect for any ladies' luncheon, yet hearty enough for bigger supper appetites," recipe creator DPW says of this filling recipe. 

 

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