Quick and Easy Chicken Pasta Salad
Elevate your mealtime with this Quick and Easy Chicken Pasta Salad, a vibrant, healthy dish that’s ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish! Packed with tender penne pasta, juicy cooked chicken breast, crisp cucumbers, and sweet cherry tomatoes, this recipe is a refreshing combination of textures and flavors. Tossed with a zesty homemade dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard, every bite is a perfect balance of tangy and savory. Ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep, this versatile salad can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with Parmesan cheese for added indulgence, and serve alongside crusty bread or as a standalone light meal. Easy to make, nutritious, and full of fresh ingredients, this chicken pasta salad is your new go-to recipe for a quick and satisfying dish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Penne pasta
- 2 cups Cooked chicken breast
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium Cucumber
- 0.5 medium Red onion
- 2 cups Mixed greens or spinach
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and mixed greens or spinach.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and veggie mixture. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For an extra touch, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2236 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 75.8 g | 97% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.8 g | 99% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 340 mg | 113% | |
| Sodium | 2431 mg | 106% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 214.9 g | 78% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.5 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.8 g | ||
| Protein | 168.4 g | 337% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 868 mg | 67% | |
| Iron | 14.6 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 1500 mg | 32% | |
*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.
