Description
This Chicken Pasta Salad is a bright, fresh, and satisfying dish perfect for any season. With juicy grilled chicken, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette, it’s a meal prep champion and picnic favorite. Easy to customize and bursting with flavor, this recipe makes eating well simple and delicious.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked rotini pasta
1½ cups cooked chicken breast, sliced or shredded
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup bell peppers, julienned
¼ cup shredded carrots (optional)
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Let cool completely.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Chop all vegetables and slice or shred the cooked chicken.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, chopped vegetables, and parsley.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
7. Optional: Garnish with cheese, avocado, or toasted nuts if desired.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For freshest taste, keep dressing separate until ready to serve if making in advance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook (except pasta boiling)
- Cuisine: American/Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, summer salad, meal prep, easy lunch