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Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad

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Readers, I’m so excited to be partnering with Honest Cooking on behalf of Castello USA for their Summer Of Blue #BluesdayTuesday with Castello campaign.  

This Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad is so savory for summer! Served chilled with plump, juicy, red grapes, savory chicken, red onions, blue cheese dressing and blue cheese crumbles will make it your new favorite summer salad to be enjoyed on a warm day!

As a lover of all things savory, you can imagine that I am a huge fan of blue cheese. And of course, because of that, I have an amazing summer salad recipe for you!

When I was offered the opportunity to work with Honest Cooking on behalf of Castello Cheese, I literally jumped at the chance. My savory palate went into overload and I knew exactly, without hesitation, what recipe I wanted to share.

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad | Inspiration KitchenThis recipe is one of my *all time favorite* salad recipes, no matter what time of the year. In fact, I’ve been waiting two years to share it.

What took me so long?

Well…, when you have a favorite, sometimes it takes patience to get it right. And…, time to make it much better than the original. Time to make it perfect.

Castello Danish Blue Cheese | Inspiration KitchenLet me explain. We have a local deli that sells the most amazing Chicken Salad that they offer only on special occasions throughout the year. If you’re lucky, you get there early…because if you don’t, it frequently sells out.

Why they only offer it a scant number of times a year, when it’s so hugely popular, is a complete mystery to me.  My guess is, they mistakenly see it as a winter salad.

And, can I just tell you? They couldn’t be more wrong.

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad | Inspiration KitchenThis salad is all things summer!

I’ve re-invented this savory salad into a perfectly light, chilled, summer salad that is perfect to enjoy on a warm, summer afternoon.

What I love about it is, that it combines all of my favorite things in one lovely salad place. 🙂

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad | Inspiration Kitchen

This Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad starts with a tomato-based penne, combined with shredded white chicken breast, then blended with Blue Cheese Dressing, Blue Cheese crumbles, red onions, plump, juicy, red grapes then seasoned with salt, pepper, (and my favorite spice) tarragon.

Served chilled, it’s perfectly satisfying (without being filling), that you will love on a hot summer day.

The plump, juicy, snap of the sweet, red grapes is the perfect counter balance for the sharp, tangy, salty blue cheese that is the star of this dish.

Red Grapes | Inspiration KitchenCastello Cheese shipped the Danish Blue flavor to me beautifully packaged in a custom cooler with the Castello brand and logo emblazoned on the front. I love the cooler’s classic design, and the fact that it can be re-used for lunches, BBQs or picnics.

We all know that blue cheese is perfect on top of a grilled burger, like these Buffalo Blue Cheese Bacon Burgers, but…it’s also amazing in salad where it adds richness, creaminess and great depth of flavor.

What I love is, that it’s so versatile! It’s crumbled when sprinkled on top of a green salad, melts deliciously to smother a burger, or spreads to cover a cracker. It’s such a great cheese – with amazing flavor – that can be used in a variety of ways.

My favorite thing though, is its strong, sharp, tangy and salty bite. It has such a beautiful finish that doesn’t overpower the palate.

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad | Inspiration Kitchen I love it so much, I’ve been known to eat it off a spoon before it even gets spread on a cracker!

Don’t judge. Try it, and tell me you don’t love it too. 🙂

When I think of summer and how I want to spend a relaxing afternoon, it is always with close family and involves light, summer-friendly dishes that can be enjoyed on the patio. Whether you’re sipping ice cold water, iced tea, a crisp summer wine, a summer ale or a cocktail – they all go well with a balanced, chilled salad. Like this one.

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad | Inspiration KitchenDo you love blue cheese too?  If you want more great blue cheese recipes, be sure to try each of these! You won’t be disappointed.

Tell me – what is your favorite summer-time salad?

Enjoy!

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad | Inspiration Kitchen
Print Recipe

Gorgonzola Chicken Pasta Salad

This Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad is so perfect for summer! Served chilled with plump, juicy, red grapes, savory chicken, red onions, blue cheese dressing and blue cheese crumbles will make it your new favorite summer salad to be enjoyed on a warm day!
Course: Salad
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

Blue Cheese Dressing

  • 5 ounces crumbled Danish Blue Cheese Castello preferred
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad

  • 6 cups cooked and drained Tomato Penne Pasta
  • 3 cups cooked shredded white chicken breast
  • 5 ounces crumbled Danish Blue Cheese Castello preferred
  • 1 cup Blue Cheese dressing from recipe above
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped red onion
  • 1 cup red grapes halved
  • 1 teaspoon tarragon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • **optional 1/2 to 1 cup walnuts optional

Instructions

Blue Cheese Dressing

  • Add sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise and white wine vinegar into a medium-size bowl and stir until thoroughly mixed. Season with dry mustard, garlic powder, Worcestershire and black pepper. Fold in crumbled Danish Blue Cheese. Set aside

Salad

  • Cook pasta per instructions, drain and set aside.
  • Prep by chopping red onion and red grapes and set aside.
  • Add pasta, chicken and onions to a medium-size bowl and toss until thoroughly mixed. Top with Blue Cheese dressing and season with tarragon, salt and pepper. Gently fold in red grapes. Add walnuts if desired.

Notes

*Walnuts in this recipe is absolutely fabulous. I left them out (so you won't see the in the photos) because of friends who are allergic! If you have no nut restrictions, add them for amazing flavor!

Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta Salad

Comments

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Rachelle! This is one of our favorite salads. It’s filling, but light somehow with the grapes – it really makes a nice summer salad! I hope you get to try it. Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  3. marcie says

    This salad sounds so full of flavor, and I’m glad you got the recipe right just in time for the Castello campaign! haha Great job, and beautiful photos! Pinned, of course. 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you for the pin Marcie! We truly love this salad. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, girl. I can’t wait to tell you about Alaska!

      Reply

  4. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    What a wonderful flavor combo, Kristi! As for favorite summertime salad – I don’t think I can narrow it down to one! But I do love salads that mix grilled veggies or stone fruits with cold, crisp veggies.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Marissa. I’m with you – I love summertime salads of any kind. This may be one of our favorites, but I’m always looking to switch it up! xoxo

      Reply

  11. Regina says

    Hi Kristi,

    This is definitely a recipe to try. Love the combination of blue cheese & grapes. I’m going to ‘pin’ it for when I’m about to cook it. Thank you.

    ps.: Love your photos 🙂

    Reply

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