Chicken and Pasta Salad

Elevate your meal prep game with this vibrant and refreshing Chicken and Pasta Salad, a perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and bold flavors! Tender grilled chicken breasts, al dente pasta, and a medley of colorful veggies—cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet red bell pepper, and tangy red onion—come together in this protein-packed dish. A zesty homemade dressing, featuring olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic, ties it all together with a bright, citrusy kick. Finished with briny black olives and fresh parsley, this easy-to-make salad is ideal for light lunches, picnics, or as a side dish for your next BBQ. Ready in just 35 minutes and served chilled or at room temperature, this flavorful recipe is your go-to for a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups Pasta (e.g., fusilli, penne, or bowtie)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium-sized (diced) Cucumber
• 1 large (diced) Red bell pepper
• 0.25 medium (thinly sliced) Red onion
• 0.5 cup (sliced) Black olives
• 2 tablespoons (chopped) Fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove (minced) Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down, then set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, sliced black olives, and chopped parsley.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 6

Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy your Chicken and Pasta Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1441.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1802.0

Total Fat 67.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.5g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 3258.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.5g	0%
Total Sugars 19.2g
Protein 136.8g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 215.3mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 2204.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.2%

Protein: 30.7%

Carbs: 35.1%