Pasta salad with chicken is a versatile and satisfying dish that works well for lunch, dinner, or as a side at any gathering. Itâs fresh, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep, as it keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days. This dish combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, and colorful veggies, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, making it a complete meal in one bowl.
To start, cook your favorite type of pastaâpenne, rotini, or farfalle work wonderfully for this salad. Once the pasta is cooked and cooled, set it aside. Next, prepare the chicken. You can grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken breasts, seasoned with salt, pepper, and any other herbs you prefer, like garlic or thyme. Once cooked through, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Now, itâs time to add some veggies for crunch and color. Chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, and red onions all add a refreshing contrast to the creamy dressing. You can also throw in some olives or sweet corn if you like. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley work great for a touch of brightness.
For the dressing, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, or sour cream with a bit of Dijon mustard and lemon juice for tang. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and add a drizzle of olive oil to make the dressing silky and smooth. If you prefer a lighter version, you can skip the mayo and use a vinaigrette made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
Once everything is prepared, toss the cooked pasta, chicken, and veggies together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and mix well to coat all the ingredients. For a bit of extra flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese on top.
Pasta salad with chicken is a perfect dish for picnics, potlucks, or family dinners. Itâs easy to make, filling, and fully customizable based on your preferences. Whether you enjoy it as a light lunch or a hearty dinner, itâs a dish thatâs sure to satisfy your cravings and please your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 100 g pasta use your favorite type
- 150 g chicken breast grilled and sliced
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 cucumber diced
- 50 g cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Grill the chicken breast until fully cooked and slice into strips.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grilled chicken, chopped bell pepper, diced cucumber, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Add your favorite dressing, toss gently to combine, and serve chilled.
Nutrition
Didn’t like this at all. The chicken was too dry. Maybe I cooked it wrong? But I won’t be trying this again.
Yummy! Quick and easy recipe. My kids loved it, especially with dressing. Will be making it again!
It was okay, but kinda bland. I think I needed more spices. Not sure if I’ll make it again.
This pasta salad is amazing! I added some feta cheese and it took it to the next level. Definitely a 5 from me!
Iâm not usually a pasta salad person, but the chicken + cucumber combo is surprisingly good. Next time Iâll add a little feta.
Looks bland. Why no seasoning? đ
Need more ingredients, felt empty on my plate. Not many veggies. đ
This pasta salad is absolutely delicious! I tried it with balsamic dressing and it was a hit at the picnic!
This looks super freshâpasta + cucumber + cherry tomatoes is a great combo. I used rotini and it held up well after chilling. Also grilled chicken makes it feel way more filling than typical pasta salad.
I dont think its right to call this cooking. Just chopping and mixing! But still tasty!
This pasta salad is okay, but it needs more flavor. I added some garlic and lemon, and it helped a lot.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy! I love how quick it is to make. đ
Not gonna lie, âuse your favorite dressingâ is vague. I used ranch and it was okay, but I feel like Italian dressing wouldâve been better. Great base recipe, needs a suggestion!
Noodles and chicken? Sounds like a boring meal to me. Whereâs the flavor?
I understand where you’re coming from! But with a good dressing and some spices, it can be super flavorful. Maybe give it a try?
Boring? Nah, you just gotta spice it up! Add some chili flakes or a zesty dressing, and it’s a game changer!
Really good! Perfect for summer. I just wish it had more dressing options.
So easy and fast! Perfect for lunch!
Made this last nightâso fresh and filling. I used rotini and a lemon-garlic dressing, and it tasted like a deli salad. Will definitely repeat.
Easy recipe, made it for lunch today! Yummy đ
This was super easy and delicious! I added some olives too. Yum!
Sounds amazing! I love adding olives to salads. It makes everything better! đ
Pasta, chicken, veggie mixed up was nice! Thnk u for the easy recipe. đ
This pasta salad was a hit at my family gathering! Everyone loved it!
That’s awesome to hear! I love when recipes bring people together. What dressing did you use?
Love how simple it is. Only question: how long do you grill the chicken? Mine was done fast but I wasnât sure.
My kids gobbled it up! Just a little bit of ranch dressing made it perfect.
Simple and tasty! đ
I made this last night, and it was a hit with my family! Thanks for sharing. đ
I dunno, looks a bit plain. Did you try adding olives or cheese? Maybe spice it up a bit!
I dont think grilled chicken goes with pasta, seems odd to me.
I don’t see how this is a recipe… it’s just chopped veggies with chicken. Where’s the flavor?
I get your point, but sometimes less is more! Try adding some herbs or a zingy dressing to amp it up!
Nah man, this is how you keep it simple and healthy! Who needs a million flavors anyway?
Pretty good overall, but 100 g pasta for a âsaladâ felt a bit light. Next time Iâll double it and add a bit more dressing so itâs not dry.
I get what you meanâ100 g can feel a little stingy for pasta salad. I usually bump it up too, especially if youâre serving it as a main.
Double it and add extra dressing = yes please. Pasta soaks up flavor once it chills, so I think your instinct is spot on.
Pasta salad? More like a chicken salad with pasta. Not what I expected.
I think it sounds delicious! Sometimes you gotta switch it up, right?
Nah, it’s a pasta salad! You just don’t get it. It’s not all about the dressing!
I forgot to boil the pasta! Ended up with a crunchy salad đ. Must try again.
Why is everyone so hyped about this? It’s just pasta and veggies… nothing special. I guess it works for some.
I tried it but it was kinda bland. Maybe more seasoning next time?
I get what you mean! Adding some herbs or a vinaigrette could really amp up the flavor. I usually toss in some Italian seasoning or balsamic dressing.
This pasta salad was a hit at our BBQ! Added some feta and olives for extra flavor. Yum!
Boring. Pasta, chicken, veggies⊠ok. It was edible but I didnât get the wow factor.
I think this would be better if it had some herbs. Maybe basil?
I added some red onion and feta and it was AMAZING. The chicken seasoning matters a lotâif you grill it plain it tastes kinda meh.
I added some olives and feta cheese. Yum! Thanks for sharing!
Super easy to make! My kids loved it and I will make it again.
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s a great way to get kids eating healthy. Well done!
Super easy to make and tastes fresh! I added some feta cheese for an extra kick. Yum!
This pasta salad is to die for! I added some olives and it was perfect! đ
I made it with tuna instead of chicken and it turned out great! đ
Chilled pasta salad hits different in summer. I used whole wheat pasta and it held up nicelyâno watery mess.
Yes!! Chilled pasta salad is the move in summer. Iâve also found that letting everything cool completely keeps it from getting watery. Whole wheat pasta holding up is a good call đ
Interesting, but I think whole wheat pasta takes longer to cool and it kinda dries out. Maybe next time add a little extra dressing right before chilling? Also, Iâm not sure if 150 g chicken is enough for a full bowl lol
This pasta salad is so good! I made it for a picnic, and everyone loved it. Will definitely make it again!
Sounds nice, but I donât get why youâd add chicken to a salad? Seems weird.
I’m so glad to hear that! This recipe is definitely a crowd-pleaser. What dressing did you use?
I dont even like salads, but this is sooo good! Never thought pasta could be like this. Lol!
I donât get why you cool the pasta. Like, why not just toss it while warm? That way the flavors soak in better. Still, it tasted fine either way.
This is a solid, no-fuss pasta salad. The cucumber and cherry tomatoes make it feel super fresh. I used rotini and it held up greatâwould definitely make again.
Yes!! The cucumber + cherry tomatoes combo is exactly what makes it feel light and fresh. I also tossed it while still a tiny bit warm so the dressing soaked inâturned out great.
I tried it but mine was kind of bland? Maybe I didnât use enough dressing. Also I used whole wheat pasta and it was a little dry, not sure if that was the pasta or just overcooked. Still edible though.
How can you call it a salad with no dressing? Confused. Did I miss something?
Honestly, this was the blandest thing Iâve ever made. Need more flavor!!
Maybe you just didn’t add enough dressing or spices? It’s kinda plain if you donât mix it up a bit. Just saying.
I think it’s all about the dressing! You could try adding some herbs, spices, or even a bit of garlic for extra flavor. Don’t give up on it just yet!
I added some olives and feta cheese. It was sooo good! Worth a five-star rating!
This is wrong! You should not cook chicken like that, it won’t be safe.
Pretty good base recipe. I used rotini and it held up nicely. I had to let everything cool all the way before tossing or it got a bit watery, but otherwise solid.
Perfect recipe for summer BBQs!! đ đ
Crispy cucumbers are the best! I just wish it had more chicken. đ
I totally get it! Crispy cucumbers are amazing, but chicken adds that extra goodness! Maybe try adding more next time? đ
Do I HAVE to use chicken? What about tofu or beans?? Can’t eat meat!
Why do people put cucumber in pasta? Thatâs just weird.
My kids love this! They even ate the veggies đ
That’s awesome! Kids eating veggies is a win! đ
This looks super fresh and filling! I love that itâs a chilled pasta salad with actual chickenâperfect for meal prep. Iâll probably add a little feta and extra pepper.
Yes!! I love pasta salad that actually has protein in it. The chilled part makes it so good for meal prepâthinking of adding some chopped red onion too.
Feta sounds good, but be carefulâfeta is kinda salty. Also, do you add the dressing while itâs still warm or fully cooled? I always mess that up đ
Looks good but mine turned out mushy. Maybe I overcooked the pasta? Help!
The instructions are missing a dressing suggestion. âYour favorite dressingâ is very vague lol. I used ranch and it was okay, but I think a vinaigrette would be better.
Good point! Iâll add a simple vinaigrette suggestion next timeâsomething like olive oil + lemon + a little Dijon. âYour favorite dressingâ was more of a placeholder, but yeah, ranch isnât the only option.
Tasted good but I forgot to grill the chicken…oops! Still edible tho.
Pasta salad? More like pasta yawn. Didn’t impress me. đ
I actually love this pasta salad! It’s simple but tasty, and you can customize it, which is great. Maybe you just need to spice it up a bit? đ¶ïž