Chicken Pasta Salad

This chicken pasta salad is a straightforward and satisfying dish that works for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy packed lunch. It brings together cooked pasta, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables in a creamy dressing that is both rich and tangy.

With just 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe is a good way to use up leftover chicken. It’s a versatile dish that you can serve right away or make ahead for a gathering.

Why will you love Chicken Pasta Salad?

Rinsing the cooked pasta in cold water stops the cooking process and cools it down quickly, which helps prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.

Using a mix of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt creates a dressing that is creamy but also light, with a pleasant tanginess that complements the other ingredients.

Letting the salad chill for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors of the dressing, chicken, and vegetables to come together for a more cohesive taste.

Chicken Pasta Salad Ingredients

• Pasta: Short, textured pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, or shells are good choices because they hold the dressing well.

• Chicken: Leftover rotisserie chicken is a convenient option. You can also use poached or baked chicken breasts.

• Greek Yogurt: If you don’t have Greek yogurt, sour cream can be used as a substitute for a similar tangy flavor.

• Red Grapes: The optional grapes add a touch of sweetness and a juicy texture that contrasts nicely with the savory components.

• Vegetables: Feel free to add other crunchy vegetables like diced bell pepper, shredded carrots, or frozen peas (thawed).

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta

First, cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain it in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water. This stops the cooking and cools the pasta down so it won’t warm up the dressing.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Dressing

While the pasta drains, make the dressing. In a bowl large enough to hold the entire salad, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Combine, Chill, and Serve

Add the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, chopped celery, and diced red onion to the bowl with the dressing. If you’re using them, add the halved grapes too. Stir everything together gently until it’s all coated, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together before you serve it.

What to Serve with Chicken Pasta Salad

This salad is a complete meal on its own. It also pairs well with fresh greens or a side of crusty bread to scoop up any extra dressing.

Helpful Tricks for Chicken Pasta Salad

If you are cooking chicken for this recipe, ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

This salad is great for making ahead. If it seems a little dry after being refrigerated, you can stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or yogurt to loosen it up.

For the best texture, make sure your pasta is fully cooled before mixing it with the dressing. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soft.

How to Store and Freeze Chicken Pasta Salad

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We do not recommend freezing this salad, as the dressing’s texture will change and the vegetables will become soft upon thawing.

Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe FAQs

Can I make this chicken pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is well-suited for making ahead. For the best texture, you can store the dressing and the combined pasta, chicken, and vegetables in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Mix them together just before serving.

Why did my pasta salad get dry?

Pasta tends to absorb moisture from the dressing as it sits. If your salad seems dry after chilling, simply stir in an extra spoonful of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to restore its creaminess.

Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta shape works well. Try rotini, penne, farfalle (bow ties), or small shells. The ridges and cups in these shapes are great for catching the creamy dressing.

Chicken Pasta Salad

Tender chicken and pasta are tossed with crisp celery and red onion in a creamy, tangy dressing.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 12 ounces elbow macaroni or other short pasta 340g
• 2 cups cooked chicken chopped or shredded, about 300g
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise 115g
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 75g
• 1/2 cup celery finely chopped, 60g
• 1/3 cup red onion finely diced, 50g
• 1/2 cup red grapes halved (optional), 75g
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 15g
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 15ml
• 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more for pasta water, 3g
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1g
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1g
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional), 8g

Instructions

 

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold running water until it is completely cool. Set aside to drain well.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until the dressing is smooth.
• Add the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, celery, red onion, and optional grapes to the bowl with the dressing.
• Stir gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
• Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like. For the best flavor, cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if using.

Notes

If you are cooking chicken for this recipe, ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

This salad is great for making ahead. If it seems a little dry after being refrigerated, you can stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or yogurt to loosen it up.

For the best texture, make sure your pasta is fully cooled before mixing it with the dressing. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soft.

Keyword chicken pasta salad, chicken recipe, pasta salad, Potluck Recipe, summer salad