Chicken and Dried Cherry Pasta Salad

I am warning you, please be aware that this...is...addictive. It'll be hard to put your fork down, your friends will want more if you share (and you should!) All kidding aside, this is a copy-cat recipe inspired by D'Amico & Sons restaurant and catering. There are locations I believe in MN and FL, if you come accross one, stop by and pay them a visit, their food is delicious.

This pasta salad is perfect for get-togethers and for work lunches and for everything else. You can also make this with turkey as the original recipe does.

Chicken and Dried Cherry Pasta Salad
(From: D'Amico and Sons )

POPPY SEED DRESSING:
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 oz champagne vinegar
1 oz water
1/2 tsp black pepper, ground fine
1/2 tsp poppy seeds
2 tsp kosher salt

SALAD:
1 lb rotelle pasta cooked
1 tbsp olive oil
8 oz cooked and diced chicken breasts (into 1/2 inch cubes)
5 oz dried cherries
1/2 cup yellow onions, medium diced
1/2 cup celery, medium diced
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

Mix together all the ingredients for the dressing completely; set aside.

Cook the pasta al dente, drain, toss in olive oil and cool completely.

Combine pasta, chicken, cherries, celery and half of the almonds in a large bowl. Mix in dressing to desired consistency. Taste for salt and adjust if necessary.

Transfer to a serving dish and top with the remaining almonds.