If you love a little sweet heat, this Hot Honey Chicken Pasta Salad is such a fun twist on a classic pasta salad. It’s loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, corn, cheddar and green onions, then tossed in a creamy hot honey ranch dressing. A final drizzle of hot honey gives it the perfect sweet and spicy finish.

It’s an easy make-ahead recipe for summer cookouts, potlucks, lunches or a simple dinner on a busy night.

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup corn, drained or thawed
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 2 tablespoons hot honey, for drizzling

Creamy Hot Honey Ranch Dressing

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons hot honey
• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water and let cool completely.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, hot honey, ranch seasoning, milk, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add the cooled pasta, chicken, bacon, corn, cheddar, red onion and green onions to a large bowl.
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
5. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
6. Toss again just before serving and drizzle an additional 1–2 tablespoons of hot honey over the top.

Tip: Save a little bacon, cheddar and green onion to sprinkle over the finished pasta salad before adding the hot honey drizzle. It makes it extra pretty for serving!

Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes