15 Pasta Salads to Make With Leftover Chicken

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. 

"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!"

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. 

"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."

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. 

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. 

"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."

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.

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. 

"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."

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.

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. 

"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."

"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."

"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.