Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad

Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad is loaded with juicy chicken, bowtie pasta, baby spinach, and the sweet burst of craisins and mandarin oranges. It’s all tossed together in an amazing teriyaki dressing!

This Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad is not your average pasta salad. It’s the kind of dish that sneaks into your weekly rotation because it hits all the marks: flavor, texture, nutrition, and flexibility! If you find yourself staring at a box of pasta and wondering how you can make it more exciting, save this recipe! This recipe passed the taste test with my whole family, and I love how easy it is to prepare. You truly can’t go wrong with bringing this dish to your next barbecue or potluck. It has a little bit of something for everyone!

Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad is great for those busy weeknights, summer barbeques, and a quick meal prep. It’s loaded with veggies and protein, making it a well-balanced meal the whole family can enjoy warm or chilled. Whether you’re a busy mom packing lunches, packing for a picnic, or looking for a fresh take on classic pasta salad, this dish delivers in every spoonful. It’s family-friendly, and ready to go in 30 minutes when you’re prepared! 

TERIYAKI CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

What makes this recipe stand out? For starters, the peanuts, dried cranberries (craisins), and mandarin oranges come together to deliver both a satisfying crunch and sweetness. And the star of this dish? The teriyaki dressing! It brings a perfect sweet-meets-savory flavor and ties the whole dish together.

The secret to making any pasta salad more satisfying and well-balanced is adding a good source of protein and this recipe delivers with juicy chicken breast. The savory-sweet flavor of the chicken pairs well with the al dente pasta and veggies, turning a simple side dish into a filling, protein-packed meal.

One of the best things about pasta salad is how easy it is to customize and this Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad is no exception. It’s flexible and allows you to use what’s in your pantry. This recipe is proof that a simple idea can turn into something really special for lunch, dinner, or anytime in between.

Teriyaki Dressing

• 6 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 3 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Pasta Salad

• 12 ounces farfalle (bowtie) pasta
• 4 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• ½ cup honey roasted peanuts
• ½ cup craisins (dried cranberries)
• 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
• ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup green onions, chopped

Instructions

Teriyaki Dressing

Pour the teriyaki sauce, vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and garlic together in a small bowl. Whisk well to combine. Cover and store in the fridge.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the bowtie pasta in the boiling water until al dente, according to package directions.

Drain pasta in a strainer. Rinse under cold water to cool pasta down. Shake off excess water and set aside to cool completely.

Add the cooled pasta to a large serving bowl. Add baby spinach, cooked chicken, peanuts, craisins, mandarin oranges, cilantro and green onion. Toss to combine. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and gently toss again to coat evenly. Serve and enjoy!

Holly’s Tips for the Perfect Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad

1. Choose your pasta shape wisely! I recommend pastas such as bowtie (farfalle), rotini, or orecchiette because they cling to sauce and provide texture. Be sure to cook the pasta just until al dente. Avoid over-cooking the pasta as it will be mushy in the salad.

2. Teriyaki sauce: there are a lot of store bought, bottled teriyaki sauces out there. My recommendation is to use one that is thick and that you like the flavor of. I personally love the Yoshida’s Original Gourmet Teriyaki Sauce. It’s thick and perfect for this recipe!

• Use precooked chicken: a rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works great for this recipe! This makes the salad much quicker to make.

Storing and Reheating

Place any leftover pasta in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy within 3 days. Enjoy again cold, or reheat only the chicken and pasta in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. (I prefer to eat it cold!)

Serving Suggestions

This recipe yields 8 servings. It can be easily doubled or tripled to feed larger crowds.

Similar Recipes

Looking for something similar? My Mandarin Orange and Spinach Pasta Salad hits the spot with its fresh, vibrant flavors.

Looking for the ultimate teriyaki chicken recipe? A great place to start is my highly rated 5 star Baked Teriyaki Glazed Chicken.

Craving something simpler? You can’t go wrong with classics like my Asian Pasta Salad.

Another classic dish that never goes out of style. My Tri Color Pasta Salad doesn’t disappoint when it comes to satisfying those cold pasta cravings.

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