Bleu Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
Elevate your pasta salad game with this savory and refreshing Bleu Italian Chicken Pasta Salad! This recipe combines tender penne pasta, juicy pan-seared chicken, and a medley of crisp, colorful veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper. Tossed in zesty Italian dressing and finished with creamy blue cheese crumbles and fresh parsley, this dish offers a perfect balance of tangy and indulgent flavors. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch. Serve chilled for maximum flavor meld, and enjoy a vibrant, protein-packed dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! Perfect for fans of easy yet gourmet pasta salads, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 large Chicken breast
- 0.75 cup Italian dressing
- 0.5 cup Blue cheese crumbles
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium Cucumber, diced
- 1 Red bell pepper, diced
- 0.25 cup Red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper on both sides.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until their internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.
Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Add the blue cheese crumbles and chopped parsley, and fold gently to incorporate without breaking apart the cheese.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You can add more Italian dressing, salt, or pepper as desired.
Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve cold or at room temperature. Garnish with additional parsley or blue cheese crumbles for presentation, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
351 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.2 g | 18% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 63 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 638 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.7 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 27.1 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 88 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 532 mg | 11% | |
*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.
