Savory Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups of raw tri-color rotini pasta
• 4 cups of cooked chicken breast, cubed
• ½ cup of green bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup of green onions, diced
• 1 ½ cups of mayonnaise, like the one from Hellman's®
• ¾ cup of tightly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
• 2 cups of salted cashew halves

Step 1

In a generous pot, bring water to a gentle boil seasoned with a pinch of salt. Cook the rotini until it reaches the perfect tender yet firm texture, which should take around 8 minutes. Once ready, drain the pasta and give it a refreshing rinse under cold water.

Step 2

Next, in a spacious bowl, combine the cooked pasta with juicy chicken, crisp green pepper, and aromatic green onions for a flavorful mix.

Step 3

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, brown sugar, vinegar, zesty lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Gently pour this delightful dressing over the pasta mixture and toss everything together thoroughly to ensure a uniform coating.

Step 4

For the best results, cover the bowl and let the dish rest in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken. Just before serving, or up to 2 hours in advance, sprinkle in the crunchy cashews for an added layer of texture and taste.