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Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Simple Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe for Refreshing Summer Eats

A quick and delicious Chicken Pasta Salad recipe perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 8 ounces Dry Fusilli Pasta Cook until al dente
  • 2 cups Grilled Chicken Diced, can use leftover rotisserie
  • 1 medium Chopped Onion Red or sweet onion
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved
  • 1 medium Diced Cucumber Preferably Persian
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Black Olives Can substitute with green olives
  • 1/2 cup Diced Chicken Salami Optional
  • 1 cup Diced Red and Yellow Bell Peppers Use other colors if desired
For the Herb Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Flat Parsley and Fresh Mint Leaves Can substitute with basil or cilantro
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 small Jalapeno or Green Chili Optional
  • 1/4 cup Walnuts Can substitute with pecans or sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup Plain Mayonnaise Greek yogurt can be a healthy substitute
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons White Wine Vinegar Can use apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice Fresh is recommended
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Nutritional yeast can be dairy-free substitute

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Blender
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Cook the pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, adding the fusilli pasta, and cooking until al dente for 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. While pasta cools, wash and chop vegetables including diced chicken, sliced cherry tomatoes, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces, adding them to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Make the herb dressing in a blender by combining parsley, mint, garlic, jalapeno, walnuts, mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
  4. In the large mixing bowl, combine cooled fusilli pasta, chopped vegetables, and diced chicken salami. Gently mix to combine.
  5. Pour the herb dressing over the salad mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 24gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This Chicken Pasta Salad gets even better after sitting, making it great for meal prep. Customize with your favorite veggies or proteins for a personal touch.

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