Brighten up your table with the vibrant and flavorful Sue Chris Chicken Pasta Salad, a perfect fusion of tender grilled chicken, al dente penne pasta, and garden-fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and spinach. Topped with creamy feta cheese and drizzled in a zesty homemade dressing featuring lemon juice, red wine vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, this salad delivers an irresistible medley of textures and tastes. Perfect for meal prepping or serving as a light lunch or side dish, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it a convenient yet impressive crowd-pleaser. Try this healthy, protein-packed pasta salad today for a refreshing twist on classic lunchtime fare!
Season the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside for a few minutes while heating the grill pan.
Grill the chicken breasts over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked (165°F/74°C internal temperature). Allow the chicken to rest before slicing into strips.
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Slice the cherry tomatoes in halves, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the fresh spinach.
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grilled chicken strips, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, spinach, and feta cheese.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, ensuring all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Calories |
2143 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 76.6 g | 98% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.0 g | 100% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 353 mg | 118% | |
| Sodium | 3600 mg | 157% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 208.7 g | 76% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.3 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.8 g | ||
| Protein | 151.8 g | 304% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 463 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 13.6 mg | 76% | |
| Potassium | 1267 mg | 27% | |
*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.