Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad:
2 cups cooked pasta (rotini, penne, or farfalle work great)
1 ½ cups cooked, shredded or cubed chicken breast (grilled or roasted)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup bell pepper (any color), diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
1/4 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or feta)
For the Dressing:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh herbs (like parsley or dill), chopped (optional)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down, then set aside.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. Add fresh herbs if desired.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, carrots, olives, and shredded cheese.
Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated.
Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve chilled, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Cooking Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes (for pasta and chicken)
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories
This recipe yields about 4 servings. Here is an approximate calorie breakdown per serving:
Calories per serving: 400–450 kcal