Poppy Seed Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes and Almonds

This poppy seed chicken pasta salad is the kind of easy summer dish that works just as well for a quick dinner as it does for a fresh side at gatherings. Made with bowtie pasta, tender chicken, sweet juicy grapes, crunchy almonds, and a creamy poppy seed dressing, it brings together a mix of flavors and textures that feel light, satisfying, and perfect for warm-weather meals.

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Course: Salad

Prep Time: 25

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Calories: 534kcal

Author: Liora Najjar

Ingredients

MAIN SALAD

8 oz bowtie pasta farfalle
2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced (about 1 lb raw boneless chicken breast)
1 ½ cups red grapes sliced in half
4 celery stalks finely chopped (around 1 cup)
½ yellow onion finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 cup whole raw almonds

CREAMY POPPY SEED DRESSING

1 cup plain Greek yogurt whole milk or low fat both work
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup olive oil or avocado oil
¼ cup maple syrup
4 teaspoons poppy seeds
2 teaspoons sea salt

Instructions

Start by cooking the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions. Once it reaches al dente texture, drain it and rinse it under cold water so it cools down quickly and stops cooking. Set aside.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the raw almonds evenly on a baking tray. Toast them for about 5 minutes, then give them a quick stir and return them to the oven for another 5 minutes or until they turn lightly golden and smell nutty. Remove from the oven, let them cool completely, then roughly chop.
While the pasta is cooking and almonds are toasting, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, oil, maple syrup, poppy seeds, and salt until smooth and creamy. Place in the fridge while you assemble the salad.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, halved grapes, chopped celery, diced onion, and chopped almonds.
Pour the poppy seed dressing over the mixture and gently toss everything until fully coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a pinch more salt or pepper depending on preference.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours in a sealed container to let the flavors blend together before serving.

Notes

Grapes: Red grapes give the best sweetness and color, but green grapes work if you prefer a slightly tart flavor. You can also swap them with dried cranberries or dried cherries for a different twist.
Onion: Yellow onion adds a mild background flavor, but it can be skipped if preferred. For a sharper taste, use red onion. For a lighter flavor, green onions are a great alternative.
Almonds: Toasting brings out more flavor and crunch, but store-bought roasted almonds work if you want to save time. You can also replace almonds with pecans or walnuts if needed.
Dressing texture: If the dressing feels too thick after chilling, add a small splash of water or milk and whisk again until smooth.

Please note that the nutritional values are provided by an online calculator and should be considered as an estimate.

Nutrition