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Quick & Easy Chicken Pasta Salad

January 22, 2024 by Kimberly Snyder Leave a Comment

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Looking for an easy chicken pasta salad recipe? Try this colorful, delicious Pecan Topped Cranberry Pasta Salad!

WELCOME TO MIX IT UP MONDAY WITH MAD DASH MIXES

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WEEK 123

WHAT ARE WE MIXIN’ UP THIS WEEK?

Vintage Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer

I love an easy to make chicken pasta salad!  This Pecan Topped Cranberry pasta salad is great for a quick lunch.  The mandarin orange slices, pecan pieces and the dried cranberries add just the right hint of color as well adding delicious flavor to the pasta salad!

It would be perfect to serve if you are having a friend visit for the weekend.  This was one of my go to recipes for a quick and delicious pasta salad!

crystal plate with a serving of chicken pasta salad with mandarin orange slices, cranberries and pecans

 

Quick & Easy Chicken Pasta Salad

Cranberry Pasta Salad is one of the pasta salads that Mad Dash Mixes offers. They also have a  Mediterranean Pasta Salad  which is also very easy to make and delicious!

I met the folks from Mad Dash Mixes when I was at a convention about a year and a half ago.  They have developed a number of tasty mixes ranging from dips to soups, salads & desserts.  Their mixes can be found at www.MadDashMixes.com.  By using the code farmhouse my readers can receive a 15% discount off of their order.

packet of Mad Dash Mixes Cramberry Pasta Salad

The Cranberry Pasta Salad comes with bow tie pasta and the seasoning packet that includes the dried cranberries.  You will need to purchase a can of mandarin orange slices and a bag of pecan pieces.  2 cups of cooked chicken will also be needed to add to the salad.

mix ins for Mad Dash Mixes cranberry pasta salad

I used already cooked chicken breasts that I cut into small cubes.  Canned chicken could be used as well.

Mad Dash Mixes Cranberry pasta seasoning packet with mayonnaise

Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with the seasoning packet.  Add the chicken to the mayonnaise/seasoning packet and blend well.

Mad Dash Mix cranberry seasoning packet with chicken mixed in

Add the orange slices and then add this to the cooked bow tie pasta.  Chill for 1 hour.

A helpful tip:  if you don’t have mayonnaise, you can use greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise.

Before Nuts were Added

Mad Dash Mixes Cranberry Pasta Salad plated up

After the pasta salad has chilled, you are ready to serve it.  If you don’t want to add the pecans, you don’t have to!

After the Pecans are Sprinkled on Top

pecans sprinkled on top of Cranberry Pasta salad

The nuts are sprinkled on top right before serving!  The pecan pieces add color and great taste to the salad.

packet of Mad Dash Mixes Cramberry Pasta Salad

Pecan Topped Cranberry Pasta Salad

delicious pasta salad with chicken, mandarin oranges, chopped pecans & cranberries
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
chill finished salad 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Servings 5 servings

Equipment

  • dutch oven
  • spatula
  • glass measuring cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 15 oz can of Mandarin oranges
  • 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
  • 1 cup pecan pieces
  • 1 Cranberry Pasta Salad Mix by Mad Dash Mixes

Instructions
 

  • Boil the bow tie pasta for 7 to 9 min. Drain and rinse pasta
    bow tie pasta
  • Add mayonnaise to the seasoning packet
    Mad Dash Mixes Cranberry pasta seasoning packet with mayonnaise
  • Add chicken & oranges, stir well.
    Mad Dash Mix cranberry seasoning packet with chicken mixed in
  • Add chicken/orange mixture to the bow tie pasta.
    Mad Dash Mixes Cranberry Pasta Salad plated up
  • Chill for at least 1 hour
  • spoon pasta salad onto serving plates and top with pecan pieces
    pecans sprinkled on top of Cranberry Pasta salad

Notes

Pecan pieces can be omitted if someone has a nut allergy or doesn't like pecans
If you don't have mayonaise, greek yogurt can be substituted for the mayonnaise.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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One Last Look!

crystal plate with a serving of chicken pasta salad with mandarin orange slices, cranberries and pecans

COOKING WITH KIM

My entrepreneurial journey started with my love of herbs , both growing and cooking with them.  My love of herbs eventually led to owning a pizzeria.
Makin' Pizza Sign
After relocating to Florida, I decided to start a blog where I could share my love of cooking, decorating and crafting.
Throughout my culinary career, I have discovered the using mixes can make a cook’s life so much easier!  Using a mix to make a recipe is as simple as adding a few ingredients to the mix and then stirring, cooking or chilling and serving!   Mixes are such a time saver!  After meeting the folks from Mad Dash Mixes* at a blogging conference last summer, I decided to add a weekly blog post featuring recipes using their mixes.  Now I am now having a lot of fun working with Mad Dash Mixes. They did send me some products to sample but my opinions about the products are my own.  My full disclosure policy can be found on the Disclosure page.
*If you would like to try some of their products, I have arranged for you to receive a 15% discount if you use the code farmhouse.  Orders can be placed at http://www.MadDashMixes.com

Disclosure: this post was written in collaboration with Mad Dash Mixes

All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: Blog Post, Main Dishes, Recipes, Salad Tagged With: Mad Dash Mixes

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Hello! Kimberly (Kim) Snyder and I'm glad you're here. An entrepreneurial spirit, I've owned a flower shop and antiques store, a pizza parlor and now we're in Florida living a new adventure. Join me as we downsize into our new digs and continue the adventures! WRITER & BLOGGER

Kimberly Snyder shares the adventures of moving to Florida and beginning again in a new space as a herbalist, a creative, and a serial entrepreneur

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Not sure if I ever shared this version of the pott Not sure if I ever shared this version of the potting bench. I started decorating it with a lavender theme. I must have gotten distracted before I finished it! It just needs a few potted lavender plants ti finish it! #lavender #farmhousedecorating #gardenstyle #fromfarmhousetoflorida #pottingbench
Simple Summer sugar mold idea! I made the flower o Simple Summer sugar mold idea! I made the flower out of the trim from an old pillowcase.  #sugarmoldcenterpiece #sugarmolddecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida #farmhousedecor #fauxhydrangeas #gardenstyledecor #cottagedecor #kimstyledecor
Mother’s Day week is here! If you have been foll Mother’s Day week is here! If you have been following me for a while, you know I can’t resist filling a dough bowl (or2) with blooming plants! I designed this one with a combination of vintage garden tools, an old book and a selection of plants.  It would make the perfect gift fire that special Mom in your life! #mothersdaygifts #mothersday #mothersdaygiftideas #gardenstyle #farmhousedoughbowl #doughbowl #kimstyledecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida
I don’t talk about my faith a lot. I do believe I don’t talk about my faith a lot.  I do believe God puts certain people in your path for a reason.  An example of this occurred on Tuesday.  It was colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy day.  I was really nervous about how it would all work since it was my first time since I had my cancer surgery. 

 The nurse that was taking care of me in the pre op area turned out to be the same nurse who had prayed for me last year. My husband was in the parking lot of the medical center speaking with his friend who happened to work at the center with this particular nurse. I was very sick at the time and they prayed for my healing.  It was great to be able to thank her in person and let her see that the prayers had been answered. ❤️

Then the anesthesiologist came in and told me about his cousin who had also been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer about a year ago. He mentioned some of the treatments his cousin had had and how important a positive attitude is.  I was touched that he took the time to tell me about his cousin’s experience. 

 We had arranged in advance to have my husband’s friend as the nurse anesthesist.  He was able to pray with us as well as reassure us about the procedure.

The procedure went well. The three polyps that the surgeon removed were sent to pathology.  The report is already back and there no evidence of cancer.  Prayers were answered again❤️

#coloncancersurvivor #coloncancer  #coloncancersucks  #colonoscopy #sigmoidoscopy  #fromfarmhousetoflorida
Celebrating my “roots” for Earth Day and beyon Celebrating my “roots” for Earth Day and beyond! The tractor was painted a few years ago by a dear family friend @annrund  The two white wooden hearts were purchased at one of my favorite shops in Illinois @thefeatherednest1  #fromfarmhousetoflorida #farmhousedecorating #gardenstyledecor #gardenstyle #kimstyledecor
Instagram post 18068406688937948 Instagram post 18068406688937948
Two different ways to display this Easter bunny: r Two different ways to display this Easter bunny: rustic wooden box or an oval dough bowl! Which do you like better? #eastervignette #fromfarmhousetoflorida #easterdisplay #cottagedecor #kimstyledecor
Need a quick dough bowl decor idea? Simply tie mus Need a quick dough bowl decor idea? Simply tie muslin ribbon around a bouquet of silk tulips! I used white but any color would work! #doughbowls #farmhousedoughbowl #farmhousedecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida #cottagedecor #kimstyledecor
In honor of National Pet Day, sharing the first ti In honor of National Pet Day, sharing the first time I met Mowgli! He jumped right up into my arms proving he was #destinedtofly  I just happened to be wearing a #antomiestyle tank!  With Capri jeans, it makes an #everydayanatomie look!

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