Description
This Nashville Hot Chicken Pasta Salad combines bold Southern spice with creamy, tangy pasta and crisp veggies. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for cookouts, meal prep, or easy dinners — full of flavor and texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken strips
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 3 scallions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, celery, carrots, scallions, and chicken strips.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or hot sauce as needed.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled, garnished with extra scallions if desired.
Notes
- Chill pasta fully before mixing to avoid a mushy texture.
- Add dressing gradually and adjust to your preferred creaminess.
- Double the dressing if preparing ahead to refresh before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: nashville chicken salad, pasta salad, spicy chicken salad, picnic salad, creamy pasta salad, meal prep salads