Perfect pasta and chicken salad recipes that you must try!

Do you have a summer barbecue or are you just looking for a light recipe for lunch at work?

These chicken pasta salad recipes are a great choice!

The tender meat in the creamy dressing will totally get you going!

Pasta salad with chicken and vegetables

Pasta, chicken and vegetable salad is a healthy meal full of protein and fiber. It’s a simple way to stave off hunger and eat something nutritious.

What will we need

• 680 g of chicken breast (grilled and chilled)
• 510 g of pasta
• 1 can of small olives
• 250 g cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
• 1 cucumber (sliced and quartered)
• 1 orange bell pepper (diced)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
• 125 g Parmesan (grated)
• 150 ml Italian vinaigrette dressing

Method

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt and pasta and cook al dente. Drain in a colander and cool.
• Combine pasta, chicken, olives, vegetables and Parmesan in a large bowl.
• Pour in ¾ of the vinaigrette and mix. If desired, add additional vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Healthy pasta salad with chicken and yogurt

Light and refreshing, creamy chicken pasta with fresh summer vegetables and Greek yogurt dressing is wonderfully simple. Perfect as a side dish or as a main dish for when you want something refreshing.

What will we need

• 340 g of pasta
• 250 g grilled chicken (chopped)
• 80 g of corn
• 80 g of green peas
• 80 g of red pepper
• 40 g red onion (finely chopped)
• 3 stalks spring onions (chopped)
• 30 g fresh basil (chopped)

For the dressing

• 120 g of Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons of avocado oil
• 30 ml of lemon juice or rice vinegar
• 1 large clove of garlic (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons of maple syrup
• ¾ teaspoon of sea salt

Method

• Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. After cooking the pasta, drain immediately and rinse well with cold water.
• While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables.
• Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
• Add all the pasta salad ingredients to a bowl and toss well until combined.
• Taste and add more salt and/or lemon juice to taste.

Salad with pasta, chicken and cheese dressing

Yum, this Blue Cheese Chopped Spinach Pasta Salad recipe is amazing! If you like all these flavors, then this is the perfect dish to enjoy, maybe every day.

What will we need

For the salad

• 340-450 g of pasta
• 280 g of chicken
• 120 g of baby spinach
• 40 g chopped red onion
• 150 g cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 135 g crumbled blue cheese
• 60 g of dried cranberries

For the dressing

• 240 ml of olive oil
• 80 ml of red wine vinegar
• lemon zest from 1 medium lemon
• 60 ml of lemon juice
• 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano

Method

• Cook the pasta according to the instructions and cool.
• Put all the dressing ingredients in a bowl (olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, sugar/honey, salt, pepper, oregano).
• Whisk the dressing to combine. Taste and add salt, pepper or other spices to taste.
• In a large bowl, add the pasta, chicken, spinach, red onion, tomatoes, blueberry and cranberries.
• Pour the dressing into the bowl and toss to coat the ingredients.
• Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving.

Chicken pasta salad with pineapple and grapes

This recipe for pasta salad with chicken and fruit will amaze you with its taste. Just try it and you will see that you will like it immediately.

What will we need

For the salad

• 450 g of pasta
• 360 g cooked chicken (chopped or in pieces)
• 1 can pineapple chunks (drained)
• 100 g of chopped celery
• 100 g red seedless grapes (halved)
• 100 g seedless green grapes (halved)
• 60 g chopped green onions
• 200 g lightly salted cashew pieces

For the dressing

• 120 ml ranch dressing
• 120 g of mayonnaise
• 40 ml of pineapple juice
• ½ teaspoon of salt

Method

• Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
• Combine cooked pasta, chicken, drained pineapple chunks (save juice for dressing), celery, grapes, green onion, and cashews in a LARGE bowl. Mix everything together.
• In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the cream dressing and whisk until smooth.
• Pour over pasta salad and toss until combined.
• This chicken pasta salad is best served immediately or within 1-3 hours of preparation.

Pasta salad with chicken and broccoli

Seasoned chicken, broccoli, raisins, celery, and a great creamy dressing come together to create this amazing chicken and broccoli pasta salad. The best food, perfect for brunch, lunches, spreads, summer gatherings and all year round!

What will we need

• 500 g of dried pasta
• 500 g grilled chicken breast (cut into small cubes)
• 360 g of small broccoli florets
• 60 g of raisins
• 60 g diced celery
• 90 g of sliced almonds
• 4 spring onions (diced)

For the dressing

• 120 g of mayonnaise
• 90 g sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
• 2 spoons of honey
• 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon of pepper

Method

• Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking.
• In an extra large bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until combined and smooth.
• Add the cooked pasta, chicken, broccoli, raisins, celery, almonds and scallions and toss to coat all the ingredients in the dressing.

Chicken salad with pasta and pesto

This quick and easy chicken and pesto pasta salad recipe is made with fresh ingredients.

What will we need

• 480 g of pasta
• 90 ml of Italian salad dressing
• 60 ml of pesto
• 200 g of fresh baby spinach
• 120 g of fresh arugula
• 340 g of grilled chicken
• 60 g of cherry tomatoes
• 40 g of grated parmesan

Method

• Cook the pasta, rinse with cold water, drain and place in a large bowl.
• Add spinach and arugula, chicken, tomatoes and Parmesan.
• Mix the Italian salad dressing and pesto separately, then pour over the pasta. Combine.
• Finally, garnish with ground black pepper and grated parmesan cheese.

Tips for making the best pasta salad

Choose dried pasta, not fresh
While fresh pasta is delicious, it is not a great choice for pasta salads due to its consistency. Dried pasta is cheaper, you always have it on hand, and it lasts much better when you mix it with dressing and other ingredients.

The shape and size of the pasta matter
The size of the pasta you choose matters, especially if you’re serving it at a casual gathering where people aren’t necessarily eating at the table. Short pastas like farfalle or fusilli mean they are easier to serve and eat.

The pasta you choose should have folds that capture the salad dressing, herbs, and other flavors. For a particularly strongly flavored, thick dressing like pesto, tube pastas like penne or macaroni are great choices, as they have a large surface area to capture the intense flavor.

Tips for cooking pasta
Coat the pasta in the dressing while it is still warm. If you pour the dressing over the pasta while it is still a little warm, the dressing will absorb better and it will be tastier.