• Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

From Farmhouse to Florida

Bloom Where You Are Planted!

  • From Farmhouse to Florida
  • Home
  • About
  • Home Tour
  • Advertise
  • Blog
  • Recipes

Quick & Easy Chicken Pasta Salad

January 22, 2024 by Kimberly Snyder Leave a Comment

Spread the love
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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

Sponsored Post

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!

Save This Pin For Later!

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.

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

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

Brighten Your Day
Simple Silk Flower Storage Ideas

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




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

Instagram

Mowgli isn’t quite sure about the hat! But he is Mowgli isn’t quite sure about the hat! But he is sure that it is thyme to celebrate Summer! #summertime #fromfarmhousetoflorida #chugsofinstagram #kimstyledecor
Pretty in Pink for Spring! Thinking about layering Pretty in Pink for Spring! Thinking about layering in some aqua for Summer. What do you think? #kimstyledecor #coastalfarmhouse #coastalfarmhousestyle #fromfarmhousetoflorida #decoratingwithshells
Summer thyme is just around the corner! Let’s re Summer thyme is just around the corner! Let’s refresh your outdoor area! #fromfarmhousetoflorida #kimstyledecor #outdoorlivingspace #summervibes☀️ #coastalhomedecor #coastalfarmhouse
It is so easy to refresh a wicker basket with a co It is so easy to refresh a wicker basket with a coat of chalk paint! I used some left over chalk paint for this project. After the basket was dry, I filled it with a couple pots of blooming plants! #chalkpaint #wickerbasket #basketmakeover #basketlover #gardenstyledecor #kimstyledecor #fromfarmhousetoflorida
We had the house painted last fall. I finally got We had the house painted last fall. I finally got the vintage urns out of storage and added white mums.  #brocantestyle #brocante #gardenantiques #gardenstyle #kimstyledecor #whitemums #fromfarmhousetoflorida
Instagram post 18044738081437452 Instagram post 18044738081437452
I love to use my Mom’s vintage Hamilton Beach mi I love to use my Mom’s vintage Hamilton Beach mixer! It still works after all these years. I did have it re-wired several years ago because the original cord was frayed. #hamiltonbeach #fromfarmhousetoflorida #vintagekitchenwares #mothersday #farmhousekitchendecor
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

Tags

"Kim" Style 4th of July Architectural Salvage Autumn brocante style budget friendly Christmas Christmas decorating container gardening cooking with herbs DIY dough bowl Easter entertaining entrepreneur European dish garden Family Farmhouse Flowers Gardening Garden Style garden style decor gluten free Herbs Holiday decorating lanai Mad Dash Mixes Mix It Up Monday No Bake Cheesecake outdoor living patio pots patriotic pumpkins recipe recipes Silk arrangement silk flower arrangement Soup spray paint Spring sugar mold summer Summer Holidays Thanksgiving Valentine's Day

Recent Posts

  • Gray Herb box in a vignetteDownsizing The Family Homestead
    In Blog Post, Decorating & Design
  • Blue Mason jar centerpieceQuick & Easy Mason Jar Centerpiece
    In Blog Post, Decorating & Design
  • summer flowers in a blue mason jarDIY Hanging Mason Jar Vase
    In Blog Post, DIY

Categories

  • Appetizer
  • Architectural Salvage
  • Autumn
  • Beverages
  • Blog Post
  • Christmas Decorating
  • Decorating & Design
  • Desserts
  • DIY
  • Easter Decorating
  • Entertaining
  • Entrepreneur
  • Flowers
  • Furniture
  • Gardening
  • Holiday Decorating
  • Home Decor
  • Home Tour
  • Lanai
  • Main Dishes
  • Outdoor Kitchen
  • Outdoor Living
  • Petals & Porch Posts
  • Pizza
  • Pizza Business
  • Pool
  • Porch
  • Recipes
  • Salad
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Thanksgiving Deccorating
  • Valentine's Day
  • Winter

Recent Posts

  • Gray Herb box in a vignetteDownsizing The Family Homestead
    In Blog Post, Decorating & Design
  • Blue Mason jar centerpieceQuick & Easy Mason Jar Centerpiece
    In Blog Post, Decorating & Design
  • summer flowers in a blue mason jarDIY Hanging Mason Jar Vase
    In Blog Post, DIY
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Disclosure Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Sassafras Theme by Hello You Designs

Copyright © 2025 · Sassafras Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in