Best 7 Quick Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

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The art of cooking pasta salad is not only a simple and delicious task but also a versatile one. Pasta salad can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish, and there are countless variations to choose from. With the right combination of ingredients, you can create a quick, easy, and flavorful chicken pasta salad that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing summer meal or a hearty and comforting dish, there's a chicken pasta salad recipe out there to suit your taste.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

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

BEST EVER PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN



Best Ever Pasta Salad with Chicken image

This is a tasty and filling chicken pasta salad. Perfect served with a croissant and iced tea for a summer luncheon! Enjoy.

Provided by Diane Whitfield

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups rotelli pasta
1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon dried tarragon
½ teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
¼ cup minced pimento
2 tablespoons minced capers
coarsely ground black pepper to taste
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
½ pound Havarti cheese, diced
4 green onions, diced
4 boneless chicken breast halves - cooked, cooled and cubed

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, tarragon, dill, salt, mustard, pimento, capers and pepper. Seat aside.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, green pepper, Havarti, green onions and chicken. Add dressing to taste and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 523.1 calories, Carbohydrate 12.2 g, Cholesterol 76.7 mg, Fat 42.9 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 23.5 g, SaturatedFat 12.6 g, Sodium 668 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

QUICK AND EASY CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Quick and Easy Chicken Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Quick and Easy Chicken Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 head broccoli, chopped and steamed until crisp tender
salt
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/2 lb pasta shells, cooked and drained
2 large tomatoes, cubed
1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
1 cup Italian dressing (more if needed)

Steps:

  • Place well drained broccoli in a large mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle with salt to season.
  • Add chicken, pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt and pepper to taste; stir to combine.
  • Pour dressing over the salad; stir gently to mix.
  • Cover and chill 1 hour before serving.
  • I serve the salad on a bed of lettuce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 424.3, Fat 16.8, SaturatedFat 3.2, Cholesterol 52.5, Sodium 739.3, Carbohydrate 43.2, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 7.8, Protein 26.2

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

QUICK CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD



Quick Chicken Caesar Salad image

Kim Blanda of Neptune, New Jersey hails this zesty dish a success. "After tasting the salad at a friend's going-away party, I made sure to request the recipe. Now I fix it for my husband just about every week," she tells. :It's great with a potato or pasta side dish and chunks of crusty bread."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 cups torn romaine
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into strips
2 cups seasoned salad croutons
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a salad bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, garlic and pepper. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 21g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 573mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 22g protein.

Tips:

  • For a flavorful salad, use a combination of cooked and shredded chicken, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
  • To save time, use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from a previous meal.
  • For a healthier salad, use whole wheat pasta and low-fat or fat-free dressing.
  • To add more flavor and texture to the salad, add some chopped nuts, seeds, or crumbled bacon.
  • For a refreshing and light salad, serve it chilled.

Conclusion:

Chicken pasta salad is a versatile and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. With its combination of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, it's a well-balanced and satisfying meal. By following the tips above, you can create a delicious and flavorful chicken pasta salad that everyone will enjoy.

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