Curry Chicken Salad Recipe with Pasta

This Curry Chicken Pasta Salad recipe isn’t just delicious, it’s a testament to the power of family tradition. It comes straight from my mom’s collection of portable main dish salads perfect for summer gatherings. Like her, I’ve enjoyed bringing these dishes to the Denver Botanic Gardens‘ concerts, and this Curried Chicken Pasta Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
 
Here’s what sets this recipe apart and why it’s a personal favorite:

• Bold flavors. Curry powder brings a warm, earthy depth, while the mango chutney adds a touch of sweet, tangy complexity to the creamy dressing. They both perfectly complement the other ingredients.
• Easy to prepare. This salad comes together effortlessly with readily available ingredients and straightforward steps.
• Make ahead. This recipe is perfect for meal prep, as it can be prepared up to 4 days in advance, reducing stress and allowing for an easy weekday meal.
• Portable. Concerts, potlucks, picnics – this salad is a great option for all three as it travels well and holds its shape.
• Versatile. Feel free to customize! Don’t have mango chutney? Try chopped dried apricots or a drizzle of honey. Swap the almonds for cashews or peanuts.  

Ingredients for Curry Chicken Salad with Pasta

Here’s what you’ll need to create this impressive salad, all of which should be available at your local grocery store:

Curry Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt – I use a mix of the two, around half of each
• Curry powder – Madras is my personal preference
• Tumeric
• Ground cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper – for just a bit of heat!
• Mango chutney – often sold under the brand Major Grey’s

Chicken Pasta Salad

• Short pasta – orecchiette (in my photos), farfalle (bow ties), or medium shells all work well.
• Cooked chicken – use leftover chicken, store-bought rotisserie chicken, or quickly sauté some boneless chicken breasts
• Raisins
• Green onions
• Celery – try to find stalks with some leaves as they layer in a bit more subtle flavor.
• Green apple – Granny Smith is my recommendation.
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Toasted slivered almonds

I love this recipe just the way mom always made it, but it is very versatile so feel free to modify it to suit your tastes or the ingredients you have on hand. Here are a few ideas:

• Use roasted peanuts or cashews instead of almonds
• Substitute chopped red onion for the green onion
• Substitute golden raisins for regular
• Add chopped bacon
• Add chopped fresh tomato
• Add chopped jalapeno pepper

My favorite way to serve this colorful salad is to line the outer edge of a serving bowl or platter with lettuce or spinach leaves, then spoon the salad into the bowl or onto the platter.
 
Here are a few other ideas for serving:

• In hulled-out large tomato halves
• Create a chicken salad sandwich by placing the salad between two pieces of lightly toasted whole-wheat bread
• As a lettuce wrap (inside large boston or romaine lettuce leaves)
• Stuffed inside a pita half
• In individual lettuce-lined bowls

In terms of sides, this salad is fairly rich and filling, so I usually just serve it with one of these chilled soups alongside: 

• Jeanne’s Gazpacho
• Carrot Vichyssoise (Chilled Vegetable Soup)
• Vichyssoise Recipe – Cold Potato Leek Soup with Cucumber
• Chilled Tomato Dill Soup

Curried Chicken Salad can be prepared up to 4 days in advance, placed in an airtight container, and refrigerated. I recommend adding the slivered almonds just before serving, so they stay crunchy. And, I think this salad has the best flavor when served within 24 hours of preparation. 
 
I don’t recommend freezing this dish as it will diminish the flavor and have a funky consistency.