The Best Summer Berry Pasta Salad with Chicken (A 30-Minute Favorite!)

Hello, friends! I want you to think about the most beautiful, vibrant, and surprising salad you can imagine. A salad that is bursting with the absolute best flavors of summer. Today, we are making that salad. Welcome to this incredible Summer Berry Pasta Salad with Chicken. Imagine this: tender pasta, savory chunks of chicken, and fresh baby spinach, all tossed together with sweet, juicy summer berries, crunchy toasted almonds, and a sprinkle of chewy dried cranberries. And the dressing? It’s a creamy, dreamy, sweet, and tangy poppy seed vinaigrette that ties everything together in the most perfect way.

This isn’t just a pasta salad; it’s a celebration of summer in a bowl. It’s a hearty main course that’s perfect for a light dinner on the patio, a stunning side dish for a barbecue, or your new go-to for picnics and potlucks. It’s ready in 30 minutes and is guaranteed to be a colorful, delicious hit wherever you take it.

Why This is the Pasta Salad of the Summer

This recipe is a true showstopper, a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy. Here’s why you’ll be making it all season long.

• A Unique and Delicious Flavor Combination: The mix of savory chicken, sweet berries, and the tangy poppy seed dressing is unexpected and absolutely delightful. It’s a refreshing change from the usual pasta salad.
• A Feast for the Eyes: This salad is just gorgeous! The vibrant colors from the mixed berries, the green spinach and herbs, and the pasta make it one of the most beautiful dishes you can bring to a gathering.
• Hearty Enough for a Main Course: Loaded with pasta, chicken, and healthy fats from the almonds, this is a truly satisfying salad that won’t leave you feeling hungry.
• The Perfect Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing: The homemade dressing is the star. It’s perfectly balanced—creamy, sweet, and tangy—and so much better than anything from a bottle.
• Incredibly Quick and Easy: With a few smart shortcuts, like using rotisserie chicken, this entire impressive meal comes together in just 30 minutes.

Gather Your Fresh & Vibrant Ingredients

Let’s get our beautiful, summery ingredients ready to create this masterpiece.

For the Salad:

• 6 ounces Pasta of choice: A short, curly shape like rotini or fusilli is perfect for catching the dressing.
• 2 cups Loose-Packed Baby Spinach Leaves
• 2 cups Cooked and Diced or Shredded Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend here!
• 1 ½ cups Fresh Berries of choice: A mix of blueberries, raspberries, and sliced strawberries is beautiful.
• ⅓ cup Diced Red Onion
• ⅓ cup Sliced Toasted Almonds: For a wonderful crunch.
• ¼ cup Dried Cranberries or Dried Cherries: Adds a lovely chewy texture and concentrated sweetness.
• 2 Green Onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons Chopped Fresh Basil

For the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing:

• ⅔ cup Mayonnaise: Use a vegan mayo for an egg-free version.
• ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (from ½ of a large lemon)
• 2 tablespoons Pure Honey
• 1 tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 teaspoons Poppy Seeds
• ¼ teaspoon Fine Salt & a pinch of Black Pepper

Crafting Your Salad: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s toss together this beautiful and delicious salad.

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until it’s “al dente” (cooked through but still has a firm bite), according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold water to cool it down completely. This is a crucial step! Drain it very well.
2. Make the Dressing: While the pasta is cooking, you can whip up the incredible dressing. In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk or shake together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, olive oil, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until everything is smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a very large bowl, combine all your beautiful salad ingredients: the cooked and cooled pasta, the baby spinach, the cooked chicken, the fresh berries, diced red onion, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, green onions, and fresh basil.

1. Toss and Serve: Pour that glorious poppy seed dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until it’s all beautifully coated.
2. Garnish and Enjoy: You can serve the salad right away at room temperature, or pop it in the fridge to chill until you’re ready to serve. Just give it another gentle toss before serving. Garnish with a little more fresh basil if you like.

Wise Tips for the Best Pasta Salad

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente is the goal! You want the pasta to have a slight chew and be firm enough to hold its own with all the other ingredients.
• Rinse Your Pasta! For a cold pasta salad, rinsing the pasta under cold water is a must. It stops the cooking process immediately and washes away extra starch so your salad isn’t gummy.
• The Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: To make this recipe incredibly fast, pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. The meat is already cooked, seasoned, and perfectly moist.
• Gentle Toss: When you combine everything, especially after adding the fresh berries, use a gentle hand to toss the salad. You want to coat everything in the dressing without crushing the delicate berries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Summer Berry Pasta Salad

1. Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
   Yes! This is a great dish to make ahead. For the best, freshest result, you can cook the pasta and chicken and make the dressing in advance. Store everything in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Combine all the components and toss with the dressing just before serving.
2. How do I make this salad nut-free?
   It’s an easy swap! Simply omit the toasted almonds, or for a similar crunch, substitute them with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas).
3. What other fruits or veggies could I add?
   This salad is very versatile! Some diced avocado, mandarin oranges, or even some chopped apple would be delicious additions.
4. How long will leftovers last?
   Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The spinach will wilt, but it will still taste absolutely delicious!

Conclusion

This Summer Berry Pasta Salad with Chicken is such a joyful and unexpected dish. It’s a beautiful medley of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that perfectly captures the feeling of summer. It’s a hearty, satisfying, and stunning salad that’s destined to become the star of your next potluck or picnic. I hope you love every colorful, delicious bite!