Easy Summer Dish: Chicken Pasta Fruit Salad

This Chicken Pasta Fruit Salad is lite, healthy, served cold, and perfect for your summer gathering potluck or just a quick summer dinner.

You can make it ahead, serve it on a bed of lettuce or with a roll, and the leftovers taste just as amazing for days.

Personally, I prefer to eat it with my fork with a roll b/c it's delicious and I can shovel it in quicker. 

This is one of the summer dishes that goes great on its own or you can serve it with your typical cookout/BBQ grub.  It'll be a crowd pleaser for all ages, kids, husbands, teenagers, healthy individuals,etc., no matter what the occasion.

This recipe makes A LOT which is perfect for summer gatherings or a meal to last a couple of days.  Shoot, this would make a great meal to give half away to a neighbor or friend.  However, feel free cutting this recipe in half or even quartered if you want to make just a little bit for a small family for one evening.  I've done that as well.  

Chicken Pasta Fruit Salad
Recipe: Alohamora and my Mother-in-Law Elaine
Active Time: 30 minutes
Inactive Time: 30+ minutes
Servings: 12-15

Ingredients: 
2 1/2 c. uncooked bowtie pasta (about 1/2 box)
2 c. uncooked spiral mutli-colored pasta (about 1/2 box)
3-4 c. chicken, cooked and diced (about 4 chicken breasts)
1 1/2 c. celery, chopped (or 1 c. jicima shredded)
1 1/2 c. grape halves (red or green)
1 c. cranraisins
1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can (15 oz) pineapple tidbits, drained
1 1/2 c. cashews (optional or included on the side)
1 jar (16 oz) Coleslaw dressing (prefer Kraft)
1/2 c. mayo, but more to taste. 

Directions: 

1. Cook pasta according to directions on box.  I cook them in separate pots, but you could combine them in one large pot if you desire. 
2. Drain the pasta water and rinse it with cold water to cool the pasta. 
3. Combine drained and cooled pasta with the chicken, celery, and fruit in a large bowl.  You can feel free to add the cashews now, or serve them on the side if concerned for nut allergies.
4. Stir in the coleslaw dressing and add the mayo to taste.  
5. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
6. Serve on a lettuce leaf or with a roll.  
7. Store leftovers in the fridge. 
8. Enjoy!

Happy Chicken Pasta Fruit Salad eating!  It's got all the good stuff in it, and you will feel happy and healthy eating it!

Yum!