Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
This Chicken Pasta Salad is a creamy, colourful and satisfying dish made with tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, crisp fresh vegetables and a delicious homemade dressing. Easy to prepare and packed with flavour, it's the perfect recipe for family lunches, meal prep, picnics, barbecues or a light dinner. Refreshing, versatile and ready in just over an hour, this Chicken Pasta Salad is sure to become a favourite for every occasion
Equipment
- 1 Large Saucepan: Used to cook the pasta until perfectly tender while maintaining a slight bite.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl Provides enough room to gently combine every ingredient without crushing the vegetables.
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Essential for safely chopping vegetables and slicing cooked chicken evenly.
- 1 Large Chopping Board: Gives a stable surface for preparing all fresh ingredients.
- 2 Measuring Cups And Measuring Spoons: Ensure every ingredient is added accurately for balanced flavour.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Perfect for gently folding the dressing into the salad without breaking the pasta.
- 1 Citrus Juicer – Makes extracting fresh lemon juice quick and easy.
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl Ideal for whisking together the creamy dressing before adding it to the salad.
- 1 Colander: Drains the cooked pasta quickly while allowing it to cool efficiently.
- 1 Food Storage Container – Keeps leftover Chicken Pasta Salad fresh in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 400 g Dried Fusilli Pasta – Spiral pasta holds onto the creamy dressing beautifully
- 600 g Cooked Chicken Breast – Cooked and diced into bite-sized pieces
- 250 g Cherry Tomatoes – Halved for bursts of sweetness freshness and vibrant colour.
- 1 Large Cucumber – Diced into small cubes to add refreshing crunch.
- 1 Large Red Bell Pepper – Finely chopped for natural sweetness and beautiful colour contrast.
- 120 g Black Olives – Sliced to provide a rich savoury Mediterranean flavour.
- ½ Medium Red Onion – Finely diced for a mild sharpness that balances the creamy dressing.
- 150 g Sweetcorn Kernels – Adds natural sweetness and a pleasant bite.
- 50 g Baby Spinach – Roughly chopped for freshness colour and extra nutrients.
- 100 g Mature Cheddar Cheese – Cubed into small pieces to add creamy richness.
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley – Finely chopped to brighten the entire salad.
- 200 g Mayonnaise – Forms the creamy foundation of the dressing.
- 100 g Greek Yoghurt – Lightens the dressing while adding a subtle tang.
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice – Balances the richness with refreshing acidity.
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Adds smoothness and enhances the dressing.
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder – Delivers savoury depth without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Italian Herbs – Adds aromatic herbal flavour throughout the Chicken Pasta Salad.
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt – Enhances every ingredient.
- ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Provides gentle warmth and seasoning.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
- Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the packet instructions until al dente.
- The pasta should remain slightly firm, as this helps Chicken Pasta Salad maintain its texture after mixing.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander and rinse briefly under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
- Leave it to drain completely before using.
Step 2: Prepare The Chicken
- Dice the cooked chicken breasts into evenly sized bite-sized cubes.
- If cooking fresh chicken specifically for this recipe, lightly season it with salt, black pepper and garlic powder before grilling, baking or pan-frying until fully cooked.
- Allow the chicken to cool before adding it to your Chicken Pasta Salad.
Step 3: Prepare The Vegetables
- Wash and dry all the vegetables thoroughly.
- Carefully:
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Dice the cucumber.
- Chop the red pepper into small cubes.
- Finely dice the red onion.
- Slice the olives.
- Chop the baby spinach.
- Finely chop the fresh parsley.
- Keeping everything roughly the same size ensures every forkful of Chicken Pasta Salad contains a perfect balance of ingredients.
Step 4: Prepare The Creamy Dressing
- In a small mixing bowl, combine:
- Mayonnaise
- Greek yoghurt
- Fresh lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Italian herbs
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Whisk until the dressing becomes completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if required before adding it to the salad.
Step 5: Assemble The Chicken Pasta Salad
- Place the cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl.
- Add:
- Cooked chicken
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red pepper
- Sweetcorn
- Olives
- Red onion
- Cubed cheddar
- Baby spinach
- Fresh parsley
- Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the ingredients.
- Using a silicone spatula or large spoon, gently fold everything together until every piece of pasta, chicken and vegetable is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Avoid vigorous stirring, as this may break the pasta and soften the vegetables.
Step 6: Chill Before Serving
- Cover the bowl with cling film or transfer the Chicken Pasta Salad to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the dressing to absorb into the pasta while helping all the flavours blend beautifully.
- Before serving, gently stir the Chicken Pasta Salad once more. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little extra salt, black pepper or fresh lemon juice if needed.
- The result is a wonderfully creamy, colourful and refreshing Chicken Pasta Salad that's perfect for family meals, packed lunches, summer gatherings or meal preparation.
Notes
- 🍝 Cook the pasta al dente to help it hold its shape and texture after mixing with the dressing.
- ❄️ Allow the pasta and cooked chicken to cool completely before combining them with the dressing to keep the salad creamy and fresh.
- 🥗 Chill the Chicken Pasta Salad for 30–60 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to blend beautifully.
- 🥄 If the salad thickens after refrigeration, stir in a spoonful of Greek yoghurt, mayonnaise or a splash of lemon juice to restore its creamy consistency.
- 🍗 Rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works perfectly, making this recipe even quicker to prepare.
- 🌿 Fresh herbs such as parsley, dill or chives add a brighter flavour than dried herbs.
- 🥒 Feel free to customise the recipe by adding vegetables such as celery, broccoli, peas or avocado.
- 🧀 Swap the cheddar for mozzarella, feta or Parmesan to create a different flavour profile.
- 🧂 Always taste and adjust the seasoning just before serving, as chilled foods often need a little extra salt, pepper or lemon juice.
- 🧊 Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing and fresh vegetables may lose their texture after thawing.