Last Updated 08-05-2024
Rotini pasta is tossed with pineapple, mandarin oranges and tender chicken, then mixed in a slightly sweet and savory dressing in this popular potluck salad.
If you’ve been invited to any neighborhood potlucks are backyard barbecues this summer, I highly recommend bringing this Orange Pineapple Chicken Pasta Salad.
My mom first introduced me to this salad, but way of a sweet neighbor who brought it over when she was having cancer treatments.
Her and my dad both loved it, and when I heard about it, I knew I needed the recipe!
I know it the ingredient list is a bit unique, but trust me, it works. In fact, this recipe was included in a cookbook of family favorites that my mom’s neighbor put together.
So we’re not the only ones who love this pasta salad!
Tips for making this recipe
- Like many pasta salad recipes, you don’t need to stick to the ingredient list exactly. Feel free to add more of the things you like, and less of the things you don’t.
- I cut the recipe in half from the original (which used 32 ounces of pasta!), so if you plan to feed a small army, you can definitely double the recipe.
- For quick and easy prep, I usually opt to use a supermarket rotisserie chicken in this recipe.
Anytime I take this pasta salad anywhere, it always disappears. You should probably be prepared to get plenty of requests for the recipes.
One note: This is not a great make ahead recipe–the fruit creates a lot of liquid, so you don’t want to mix this up more than an hour ahead.
But you can mix up the dressing, cook the pasta, and chop up all the other ingredients ahead of time, so all you have to do is toss the salad together when you’re ready to eat.
I love having this salad recipe in my repertoire, because it’s always a welcome change from the usual, and everyone who tries it loves it.
This Orange Pineapple Chicken Pasta Salad is perfect for a potluck, and filling enough for a light meal. It’s sure to become a favorite!
What should I serve with Orange pineapple chicken pasta salad?
I love serving this salad as a side dish when we’re grilling or having friends over for a summer barbecue.
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