Best 8 Easy Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

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Chicken pasta salad is a summer picnic and potluck classic, and for good reason. It's easy to make, delicious, and can be tailored to your own preferences. Whether you like your pasta salad creamy or vinaigrette-based, with grilled or rotisserie chicken, or loaded with vegetables, there's a recipe out there for you. With so many variations, finding the perfect easy chicken pasta salad recipe can be a challenge. That's why we've done the work for you and compiled a list of the best chicken pasta salad recipes that are sure to please everyone at your next gathering.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Chicken Pasta Salad image

My dad grows incredibly delicious tomatoes and red peppers. This year's crop was especially abundant, so I created this salad combination to take advantage of the bounty. My husband gave this recipe a definite "thumbs up".

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (16 ounces) bow tie or spiral pasta, cooked and drained
3 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Caesar or Parmesan salad dressing
1 tablespoon honey mustard or other prepared mustard
2 to 3 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 sweet red pepper, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 cup shredded carrot

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, toss the pasta, chicken, oil and garlic powder. Cover and chill. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salad dressing, mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper; cover and chill. Just before serving, add the red pepper, tomato, carrot and dressing to pasta mixture; gently toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 calories, Fat 29g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 529mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 19g protein.

EASY CHICKEN/PASTA SALAD



Easy Chicken/Pasta Salad image

This is an easy 4 ingredient dinner with plenty of leftovers (unless you have a huge family) Very frugal too- which is good in this economy! This makes a huge amount. We can feed a family of 5 plus have leftovers for lunch the next day! Great for a quick meal coming home from work.

Provided by Daisydukex3

Categories     Chicken

Time 15m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

10 -12 ounces cooked chicken, shredded (leftover chicken works, or shortcuts prebagged work as well....also leftover ham or turkey would be )
8 ounces elbow macaroni (or pasta of your choice)
4 ounces frozen vegetables (we use half a bag of peas & carrots but whatever floats your boat will work ,o)
3/4 cup bottled ranch dressing (measure is approximate, we eyeball it til its the right consistency. Creamy Italian would also be go)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding frozen vegetables and chicken to boiling water.
  • Drain and cool.
  • Toss with bottled dressing, serve cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289.2, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 34, Sodium 281.2, Carbohydrate 26, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 1.4, Protein 13.5

CREAMY CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD



Creamy Chicken and Pasta Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
8 ounces tubetti or other small tube-shaped pasta
1 1/4 cups 2% percent Greek yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 rotisserie chicken
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 Kirby cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and chopped
Freshly ground pepper
8 cups mesclun greens

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup water, the vinegar, mustard, dill, chives and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Remove the skin from the chicken and shred the meat into large pieces. Add the chicken, celery and cucumber to the dressing and gently stir to combine.
  • Shake the excess water from the pasta and add it to the chicken salad. Season with pepper and toss. Serve over the greens.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 672, Fat 32 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 114 milligrams, Sodium 1724 milligrams, Carbohydrate 56 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 44 grams

QUICK AND EASY GARDEN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Quick and Easy Garden Chicken Pasta Salad image

An extremely easy pasta salad from Kraft Foods. You can substitute or add any other ingredients you like. I sometimes add cubed mozzarella, Parmesan and fresh chicken. I'm making it today with cheese tortellini. This is my potluck "staple" in the summertime. Time does not include chill time.

Provided by HEP MEP

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 20m

Yield 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 cups rotini pasta (8 oz.) or 3 cups pasta, of your choice cooked and drained (8 oz.)
2 cups broccoli florets, lightly blanched
1 1/2 cups three cheese ranch dressing or 1 1/2 cups regular ranch dressing
1 (6 ounce) package cooked chicken breasts, cuts or chopped red pepper
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup slivered onion

Steps:

  • Toss all ingredients and refrigerate.
  • Can be made up to 2 days ahead.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.
  • Can be easily doubled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 336.7, Fat 20.6, SaturatedFat 3.3, Cholesterol 24, Sodium 362.5, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 2.5, Protein 10.2

QUICK CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Quick Chicken Pasta Salad image

For a quick and easy side to take to a get-together or potluck, try this pasta salad. It is also a great way to use leftover chicken.-Alice Schoon, Henning, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 cups uncooked medium shell pasta
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, cooked and drained
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 bottle (8 ounces) ranch salad dressing
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse in cold water and drain. Cool. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, mixed vegetables, celery and onion. In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, salt, dill and pepper. Stir into pasta mixture. Stir in cheese. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348 calories, Fat 16g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 371mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

CHICKEN & PASTA SALAD



Chicken & pasta salad image

For a speedy, superhealthy supper this pasta dish is just the thing - save leftovers for lunch the next day

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 red pepper , deseeded and thickly sliced
1 red onion , thickly sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
300g penne or fusilli pasta
4 skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp each chopped thyme and oregano
pinch dried chilli flakes
2 garlic cloves , crushed
150g pack cherry tomato , halved
50g bag rocket
1 tbsp white wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix the pepper and onion with 1 tsp oil and roast for 20 mins.
  • Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile put the chicken breasts between two sheets of cling film and bash with a rolling pin until they're about 1cm thick. Mix remaining oil, herbs, chilli and garlic then rub all over the chicken. Heat a griddle or barbecue and cook for 3-4 mins on each side.
  • Slice the chicken on a board, scrape into the pasta with any juices, plus the roasted onion and pepper, cherry tomatoes, rocket, vinegar and seasoning. Toss together and eat warm or cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470 calories, Fat 6 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 64 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 44 grams protein, Sodium 0.26 milligram of sodium

COLD CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Cold Chicken Pasta Salad image

A very fresh take on pasta salad. Tweak to your liking with different veggies.

Provided by Say-Rah

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 3h21m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

⅓ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ tablespoons grated onion
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
2 ½ cups water
2 cubes chicken bouillon
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
¼ cup chopped onion
1 (8 ounce) package vermicelli pasta, broken into 2-inch pieces
1 (14 ounce) can plain artichoke hearts, quartered
1 pint cherry tomatoes

Steps:

  • Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, grated onion, seasoned salt, and basil together in a bowl to make dressing. Transfer to the refrigerator.
  • Combine water and chicken bouillon cubes in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until bouillon cubes are dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add chicken breasts and onion; simmer until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 45 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board using a slotted spoon. Reserve broth in the saucepan. Cool chicken until easily handled, 5 to 10 minutes. Chop coarsely.
  • Pour several cups of water into the reserved broth in the saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in vermicelli and cook until tender, about 6 minutes. Drain.
  • Mix dressing, chicken, and vermicelli together in a bowl. Add artichoke hearts and toss to combine. Refrigerate until flavors combine, 2 to 6 hours. Mix in tomatoes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 373.9 calories, Carbohydrate 39.7 g, Cholesterol 39.2 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 898.3 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

CHICKEN CLUB PASTA SALAD



Chicken Club Pasta Salad image

Chicken club sandwich-style pasta! Substitute Monterey Jack cheese for the Muenster, if desired.

Provided by Lane J

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces corkscrew-shaped pasta
¾ cup Italian-style salad dressing
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 cups chopped, cooked rotisserie chicken
12 slices crispy cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup cubed Muenster cheese
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Whisk Italian-style dressing and mayonnaise together in a large bowl. Stir pasta, chicken, bacon, Muenster cheese, celery, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and avocado into dressing until evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.1 g, Cholesterol 47.9 mg, Fat 30.1 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.1 g, Sodium 723 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your pasta salad shine. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp celery, and tender chicken.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant.
  • Cool the pasta before adding the other ingredients: This will help to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soggy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add color, texture, and flavor to your pasta salad. Some good options include tomatoes, celery, carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings: There are endless possibilities when it comes to pasta salad dressing. Try a simple vinaigrette, a creamy Caesar dressing, or a tangy Greek yogurt dressing.
  • Add some protein: Chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great additions to pasta salad. They will add protein and make the salad more filling.
  • Serve the pasta salad chilled: This will help to keep it refreshing and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Chicken pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a chicken pasta salad recipe that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give chicken pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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