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
Not bad, but the ratios feel off. I ended up wanting more chicken because 150g disappears fast in a bowl like this. Would add another 50g next time.
I don’t like bell peppers. Can I use something else? Like, lettuce maybe? đ€
You can definitely swap out bell peppers! Lettuce will work, though it might change the texture. Maybe try adding some carrots or celery for crunch instead?
Just use what you like! Lettuce is a weird choice tho… it ain’t gonna taste the same, maybe try zuchini or something instead?
I tried adding olives and it was actually amazing. But I think the pepper should be cut smaller because the chunks were kinda big.
This is way too much work!! Just cook chicken and eat! Who has time for this? đ©
I get it, but this recipe is pretty easy! Plus, think of all the fresh veggies. đ
Nah, it’s just chicken and some pasta, not so hard. You can do it in 30 mins! đ€·ââïž
I thought it needed more flavor. Tried adding garlic, but it didn’t work out. Disappointed.
I don’t get why people like pasta salad. It’s just cold pasta. Not for me.
I just chopped everything and threw it together. Tasted fine, but I’m no chef!
I tried this and my chicken came out dry even though I âgrilledâ it. The salad was okay, but I think 150g chicken is too much for my bowl? Idk. Might try again with a lighter dressing.
My kids loved this. They usually don’t eat veggies but devoured this salad!
That’s awesome to hear! I love when kids actually eat their veggies! This recipe is a win-win!
Really good. Had this for lunch and it was light yet filling! Will make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s my go-to for quick lunches too. đ
Could you grill the chicken or is pan-frying fine? I did pan-fry and it still worked, just less char. Flavor was good though, especially with pepper and tomatoes.
my kids loved it! so easi to make, thank you!
Glad to hear your kids enjoyed it! Such a simple and tasty recipe for the whole family.
Kinda bland honestly, needs more spices or something. đ€·ââïž
This pasta salad was a hit! I added some olives too, yum! đ
The ingredient list is good, but I feel like âuse your favorite dressingâ is cheating đ . I ended up with something sweet and it didnât match the veggies.
Simple and easy! My kids love it! I used spaghetti instead of normal pasta. đ
Spaghetti? Isn’t that kinda weird for a salad? đ€ But if your kids like it, who am I to judge!
That’s great to hear! Spaghetti sounds like a fun twist. My kids love it too! What dressing did you use?
What kind of dressing do I use? Hellooo?
I was skeptical about this recipe. Thought it would be bland, but was pleasantly surprised! Will recommend!
Glad to hear it turned out well! I was iffy about the dressing too, but it’s a game changer.
Really? I thought it looked kinda plain. I might try it but I dunno… looks like a salad you get at a deli.
I made this but forgot the bell pepper. Still good though! đ
I think bell pepper really adds flavor! But glad it still turned out good! đ
Who needs bell pepper anyway? đ Pasta salad is awesome no matter what!
So easy and delish! My kids loved it too. Definitely making this again!
Really tasty but I think the chicken should be seasoned a bit more. Mine was a little bland until I added salt/pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Still, good flavor overall.
Couldnât find cherry tomatoes so I used regular chopped tomatoesâmore watery. Still good, but Iâd salt them first next time to avoid sogginess.
It was okay but kinda bland. I would suggest more seasoning.
Bland? Really? I thought it had enough flavor with just the dressing!
I totally agree! A bit of garlic or Italian seasoning could make it pop!
Seems too simple for my taste. What if I added some spices?
Decent idea but my pasta came out a bit mushy even though I âfollowed the package instructions.â Maybe I waited too long to cool it.
Hmm maybe. I did follow it and mine was kinda soft, but I thought it was âsalad styleâ lol. Did you drain it good? And what kind of pasta (like small shells vs spaghetti) makes a big difference.
Iâve had that happen tooâmushy pasta salad usually means the pasta sat warm too long or got overcooked before draining. Next time, rinse briefly after draining (cool water) and toss sooner. Also try undercooking by 1 minute.
Awesome recipe! I used rotini pasta and it was great. Will make again!
So glad you liked it! Rotini sounds like a fun twist! đ
Awesome, but I donât think grilled chicken’s that flavorful. Maybe try tofu next time?
I tried this with shrimp instead of chicken. It was decent but kinda bland… đ€·ââïž
I made it for meal prep and it stayed good for a couple days. The veggies stayed crunchy-ish, which I was pleasantly surprised by. Dressing matters a lot though.
Good to hear it holds up for a couple days! I always worry pasta salad gets soggy. Do you think it’s better to add the dressing right before eating, or mix it in for meal prep like you did?
Mine went a lil sad by day 2 đ maybe I used the wrong dressing. Also I cut the cucumber too small and it got watery. Still tasty tho!
Why is chicken in a salad? Sounds weird to me. đ€
It’s actually really tasty! The chicken adds protein and makes it more filling. Give it a try! đ
I followed the steps and it turned out tasty, but my pasta was still warm when I mixed everything. It kind of wilted the cucumberâstill ate it though đ
Honestly that still sounds pretty normalâpasta carries heat and can soften the cucumber. Next time maybe rinse/cool the pasta a bit or let it chill 10â15 min before mixing so it stays crisp. Glad it still tasted good though đ
So easy! I made it for lunch prep and it stayed good for 3 days. The cucumber stayed crunchy, which is rare for me.
Yes!! The crunchy cucumber part is the bestâmine always goes soggy too. Love that it held up 3 days for you.
3 days is impressive. I guess cooling the pasta and using less dressing helps? I might try this but Iâll probably add more cucumber at the end.
Chicken breast can be dry if you overcook it. Mine was a little tough, but slicing thin helped. Would recommend checking doneness carefully.
Totally agreeâovercooking chicken breast is the fast track to dryness. I also slice it after resting a couple minutes. Great call on checking doneness!
Hmm mine came out dry too, so maybe I messed up the grill time. I sliced it thin like you said but I still think 150 g for one meal is a lot? Idk maybe i should brine it next time.
Looks easy. Gonna try it for meal prepâhope it keeps well 3-4 days. Anyone know if the cucumber gets soggy?
I usually meal prep pasta salad and yeah, cucumber can get a little soggy after a few days. For 3â4 days, Iâd dice the cucumber and mix it in right before eating (or keep it separate in the fridge). Also if youâre adding a watery dressing, the first day is best.
Iâm not sure about the âcool and serveâ partâmine tasted better after an hour in the fridge instead of right away. But yeah, easy recipe.
Not gonna lie, âyour favorite typeâ of pasta is a little vague. Also, âfavorite dressingâ could mean anything. Still, the veggies + grilled chicken combo sounds tasty.
Honestly, I think pasta salad with chicken is a little boring unless you go hard on herbs. I added basil and garlic powder and it came alive. Without that, itâs kinda plain.
I followed it exactly and it turned out greatâlight, filling, and not heavy like some pasta salads. My whole family asked for seconds.
Same here! I was worried itâd be bland, but the chicken + veggies made it really refreshing. Definitely not a heavy pasta salad.
I tried it but I think my chicken was too dry (grilled too long đ ). Still tasty thoughânext time Iâll watch the cook time. Any specific dressing you recommend?
Wait, 100g pasta for 150g chicken? Thatâs weirdâseems like more chicken than pasta. Still tasted decent, but I might double the pasta next time.