Chicken Pasta Salad

This vibrant chicken pasta salad combines tender grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing.

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Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 40

Servings:

Calories: 342kcal

Ingredients

For the Salad:

1 lb rotini pasta
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup cucumber, quartered and sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup kalamata olives, halved
¾ cup small mozzarella balls, halved
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1¼ cups Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp finely minced red bell pepper
1½ tsp dried minced onion
½ tsp dried basil
¾ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp black pepper
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Grill for 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
Allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.

Cook the Pasta:

Boil rotini in salted water according to package instructions.
Drain and rinse under cool water to prevent sticking.

Make the Dressing:

In a bowl or jar, combine all dressing ingredients.
Whisk or shake vigorously until well blended.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Assemble the Salad:

In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, mozzarella balls, and parsley.
Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat evenly.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Notes

Chicken Options: While grilled chicken works best, you can use rotisserie, leftover, or even shredded chicken. Chicken thighs are also a great alternative.
Storage: Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Not recommended for freezing.
Make-Ahead Dressing: The Italian dressing can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Save time by using a high-quality store-bought dressing if preferred.

Nutrition

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