Pasta Chicken Salad

Elevate your mealtime with this vibrant and satisfying Pasta Chicken Salad, a perfect blend of hearty ingredients and refreshing flavors. Featuring tender penne pasta, juicy pan-seared chicken breast, and a medley of crisp vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, this recipe delivers a delightful balance of textures. Tossed in a creamy, zesty dressing made with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, every bite bursts with flavor. Shaved Parmesan cheese and optional fresh parsley make for the perfect finishing touches. Ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile dish is ideal for a light lunch, meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing potluck option. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a wholesome and delicious pasta chicken salad experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams Penne pasta
• 2 pieces Chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 200 grams Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber, diced
• 0.5 medium Red onion, finely sliced
• 50 grams Black olives, sliced
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, shaved
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons Plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then dice it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes (halved), diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and sliced black olives.

Step 4

In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if using.

Step 7

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy your Pasta Chicken Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1283.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2482.0

Total Fat 104.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 395.3mg	0%
Sodium 4007.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 223.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 13.4g
Protein 164.4g	0%

Vitamin D 55.2IU	0%
Calcium 720.7mg	0%
Iron 15.4mg	0%
Potassium 2384.0mg	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: 37.7%

Protein: 26.5%

Carbs: 35.9%