This Copycat Hug-Hes Chicken Pasta Salad, is the BEST pasta salad you will ever try. It is so simple to make, inexpensive, and tastes delicious. It's the perfect, light spring or summer dish.
I love pasta salad. It is probably one of my most favorite foods. It’s quick, simple, full of flavor, and goes with just about everything.
I have always been a fan of pasta salad, but there is this little cookie shop in Utah, that sells the BEST pasta salad I have ever tasted.
Literally a pasta salad that I dream about, it is so dang good. I decided, I just need to figure out how to make this, because I could save some serious money.
That’s exactly what I did, and I have to say, this salad is spot on. I even like it better because it’s less expensive, and I can have the huge bowl of it, all to myself.
It also makes a great side dish, lunch, or main dish. We bring it to barbecues, but I also serve it for lunch or dinner.
Pretty much I eat it for dessert, as well, because it is just that yummy.
The best way to shred chicken for this Copycat Hug-Hes Chicken Pasta Salad:
I am a chicken boiler. I prefer to grill them, but I always get nervous to grill when my husband is gone, because I never know if the grill is really turned off? Probably a strange fear, but it’s a big enough fear, that I boil my chicken.
I also hate trying to shred my boiled chicken, because it is a little on the tough side. So, to solve all my chicken shredding problems, I usually blend my chicken in my blender or food processor.
I just push the pulse button a few times and within about 10 seconds, all my chicken is shredded.
You could also use a hand mixer, but I usually go for the blender, because it keeps it all in the blender, and no chicken is flying about.
Why do should I rinse my pasta in cold water?
The starch in the hot water, is what helps your sauce stick to your pasta. However, for cold dishes, you don’t want your pasta sticking together, or have the sauce fully absorbed.
That’s why when you make cold pasta dishes, you will want to rinse your noodles in cold water, but not when you make hot pasta dishes.
Keep that spaghetti sticking to the sauce.
(It’s also a quicker way to cool down the noodles so you can eat the salad sooner. Really it’s a win win.)
Could I use any pasta variations for this pasta salad?
You could definitely use any pasta you have on hand. The restaurant used bow-tie pasta and rainbow rotini, but my grocery store only carried green rotini.
You could definitely switch up your pasta to what you have on hand, but we recommend pasta that is easier to stab with a fork (not so much spaghetti or fettuccine).
Here are a few other pasta types that would work great for this recipe:
- Cavatappi
- Fusille
- Rigatoni
- Penne
- Shells
- Macaroni
You can also add any vegetables to this recipe, that you love. It’s a great recipe to sneak in extra veggies, for your kids (and husband). I’m talking bell peppers (any variety of bell pepper will do), baby greens, crispy lettuce. Your imagination is your only limit. You might even throw some of your own garden veggies for a more personalized touch. As far as fruits go, fresh avocado is all you need to balance out the flavors.
Add a little extra heat to this Copycat Hug-Hes Chicken Pasta Salad:
This recipe calls for a bit of Tabasco sauce. I am not a spicy food fan (also pregnant so heartburn is always on the verge).
However, in this recipe, the Tabasco sauce just adds a small kick of flavor, not so much heat or spice. You could easily add more hot sauce, and make it more spicy, or red pepper flakes, if looking to increase the heat.
Watch how to make another delicious pasta dish, here:
Did you know we have a Youtube Channel? We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.
Our Spaghetti Pasta Salad is always a hit at any pot luck or barbecue. Watch how to make it, here:
Looking for more pasta salad recipes?
- The Best Homemade Pasta Salad
- Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
- The Best Creamy Pasta Salad
- Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Grilled Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Our Favorite Summer Side Dishes:
- RAMEN NOODLE ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE
- 5 MINUTE STRAWBERRY JELLO SALAD RECIPE
- BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE
- GREEK YOGURT FRUIT SALAD RECIPE
- BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
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Serves: 10
Copycat Hug-Hes Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
3.50 from 2 votes
This Copycat Hug-Hes Chicken Pasta Salad, is the BEST pasta salad you will ever try. It is so simple to make, inexpensive, and tastes delicious. It's the perfect, light spring or summer dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
PrintPin
Ingredients
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
- 2½ cups bowtie pasta (cooked)
- 2½ cups tri-color rotini pasta (cooked)
- 1 cup broccoli (chopped)
- ⅔ cups carrots (chopped)
- 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
Dressing:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ cups olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons tabasco sauce
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine your chicken, pasta, broccoli, carrots, and kidney beans. Mix until fully combined.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together your sugar, red wine vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and tabasco sauce.
Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta mixture, and toss.
Store in fridge for 30 minutes (We prefer to have the dressing sink into the pasta and vegetables, so they taste less like vegetables, and more like the dressing).
Serve cold.
Nutrition
Calories: 571 kcal · Carbohydrates: 55 g · Protein: 13 g · Fat: 34 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 24 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 14 mg · Sodium: 759 mg · Potassium: 409 mg · Fiber: 5 g · Sugar: 21 g · Vitamin A: 1494 IU · Vitamin C: 10 mg · Calcium: 32 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Equipment
Large Bowl
small bowl
Whisk
Recipe Details
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calling all Hug-Hes fanatics! We have cracked the code on this legendary chicken pasta salad and let me tell you, our copycat recipe is absolutely delicious! It’s the perfect homage to the Hug-Hes Cafe original pasta salad that has captured the hearts and taste buds of many. We stuck the landing on the famous sweet pasta dressing too. Forget the long lines and mystery ingredients – we’re bringing the Hug-Hes magic right to your table.
The combination of perfectly cooked bowtie and rotini pasta (also known as spiral pasta), juicy skinless chicken breast, kidney beans, carrots, and broccoli, all tossed in our homemade dip, guarantees a taste of yum in every bite.
The incorporation of provolone cheese adds a refreshing counterpoint to the Tabasco sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. And for those feeling a little adventurous, the dressing options are limitless! Drizzle on some hickory BBQ sauce for a smoky twist, or go creamy with a dollop of blue cheese dressing. BBQ ranch dressing is your go-to sauce if you’re looking for something that’s a little on the tangy and sweet side. The kidney beans can also be swapped out with black beans if you’re going for that mild, earthy taste. Toss in some bacon bits and you’ve got yourself a winner.
The best part? This copycat Hug-Hes chicken pasta salad is a breeze to prepare. It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners, potlucks, and get-togethers. The rich taste profile makes it a standout choice for dinner entrees or as part of your weekly meal plan. What’s more, it’s best served cold. I couldn’t think of a more fitting summer dish for those hot summer days.
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Join The Discussion
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Kathleen Durrant says:
This makes SOOOOO much dressing. Are the portions correct?? Also unclear- is the amount of pasta before being cooked or already cooked?? My salad is SWIMMING in dressing. Wondering if this is correct?
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Elaine says:
A cup of sugar sounds like an awful lot...and 1 1/2 cups oil, is that correct??
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Kathleen Durrant says:
Update- the salad does absorb all the dressing. And is delicious. I just had to be patient.
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Aubrey says:
Can i make this the day before and keep in the fridge or will it get soggy?
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Cyd says:
We didn't eat it all on the first day and saved the leftovers for the next day and it was great. Be sure to cover it well and refrigerate.
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Pearl says:
I’m sorry but this was awful. The salad was too sweet and oily. I followed to a T and let set for 4 hours. Nobody could eat it. Went down the drain along with money it took to buy ingredients.
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Susan Gill says:
I made this salad and it was good but it was way to much dressig.
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Les says:
I usually like the six sisters stuff but this was not very good, I’m sorry. The olive oil was too strong, the sauce was too much.
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Jessica says:
This salad is to die for at the restaurant and it’s the norm to drown the salad in dressing! If you’re not from Northern Utah and haven’t been eating this salad your whole life, it may not be your thing. I have eaten this for 25 years or more and the more dressing the better! Love a good copy cat recipe since I no longer live near a Hug Hes Cafe 😭
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Esta Pierson says:
I was concerned about the amount of salt and pepper. Is 1 Tbs the correct amount. We order this for family gatherings.
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Momma Cyd says:
You can always just add 1/2 and see if that's enough.
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Dana says:
I was quite disappointed in this recipe, especially the dressing. I was in the kitchen cooking for 1 1/2 hours (way too long for pasta salad) and after tasting the dressing, I decided to save the pasta for the next night's dinner and pick up the dressing from hug hes. The dressing was bitter and way too oily. Wasted a lot of expensive ingredients and a lot of time. Won't be making this again.
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Kamille Llewelyn says:
Hughes pasta salad has always been a special favorite of our family. We don’t live close by so this is amazing to have a copy cat!! I keep mine in the fridge for days and when it gets a little dry I drizzle homemade ranch dressing over it!! A summer staple! Thanks for another amazing recipe!
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Momma Cyd says:
You are so welcome. So glad you like our copycat Pasta Salad!
About The Author:
Kendra Murdock
Kendra lives in Northern Utah with her husband, Matt, and two cute kids. She loves to workout or relax with show and a treat in her spare time.
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