This High-Protein Spring Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or a fantastic meal prep option.

High-Protein Spring Chicken Pasta Salad - Easy & Healthy Recipe 16

It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, and wonderfully satisfying, making it a go-to for family dinners or a healthy lunch. Each serving provides about 32 grams of protein.

Using readily available ingredients, including convenient rotisserie chicken, this creamy pasta salad comes together quickly. It’s a versatile dish that’s both delicious and healthy, offering a fantastic way to enjoy a balanced meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for anyone looking for a delicious, healthy, and convenient meal. It’s perfect for busy parents who need a fast dinner solution, individuals looking for easy meal prep ideas, or anyone who enjoys a satisfying cold salad. The combination of tender pasta, savory chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing makes it a dish that appeals to a wide range of tastes. You can serve it as a light main course, a hearty side dish for a barbecue, or pack it in lunchboxes for a nutritious midday meal. It’s especially great for warmer weather when you crave something refreshing but still filling.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Making this chicken pasta salad is straightforward, and the ingredients are simple to find at any grocery store. We’re focusing on convenience and flavor, ensuring you get a fantastic result without any fuss.

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces rotini pasta (or other short pasta shape)
2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

For the pasta, rotini works wonderfully because its spirals hold the dressing well, but penne, fusilli, or even elbow macaroni are excellent substitutes. When selecting your rotisserie chicken, a plain or lightly seasoned one is best so you can control the overall flavor profile of the salad. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use all mayonnaise for a richer dressing, or a lighter sour cream for a similar tang. Feel free to adjust the amount of red onion to your preference; if you prefer a milder onion flavor, soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This High-Protein Spring Chicken Pasta Salad is designed for speed and convenience, making it ideal for those days when you need a delicious meal on the table without a long wait.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes (for pasta)
Total time: 25-27 minutes

This timing assumes you’re using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which significantly cuts down on your active cooking time. The bulk of the work involves cooking the pasta and chopping a few vegetables, making it a truly quick and easy recipe.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this creamy chicken pasta salad is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome every time.

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 10-12 minutes. You want the pasta to be tender but still have a slight bite.
Drain and cool the pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander. Rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and helps keep the salad cold. Let it drain well.
Prepare the chicken: While the pasta cooks, shred or dice your cooked rotisserie chicken. Aim for bite-sized pieces that will mix well with the pasta and vegetables.
Whisk the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, finely chopped red onion, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, chopped celery, chopped fresh parsley, thawed frozen peas, and halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
Toss everything together: Gently fold all the ingredients until the pasta, chicken, and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Ensure everything is thoroughly mixed so every bite is flavorful.
Chill before serving: For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 1-2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill completely.
Serve and enjoy: Give the salad a final stir before serving. You can garnish with a little extra fresh parsley if desired.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This chicken pasta salad is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. For a kid-friendly twist, you can use smaller pasta shapes like ditalini or mini shells, and finely dice the vegetables so they are less noticeable. You might also reduce the amount of red onion or omit it entirely if your kids are sensitive to strong flavors.

Consider adding other vegetables like finely chopped bell peppers (any color), shredded carrots, or corn for extra crunch and color. For a different protein, cooked shrimp or canned tuna can be swapped in for the chicken. If you want to add a little spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the dressing can give it a nice kick. For a touch of sweetness, some dried cranberries or grapes can be a lovely addition.

This pasta salad is fantastic for a variety of serving occasions. It’s a perfect main dish for a light lunch or dinner, especially during warmer months. It also shines as a side dish at potlucks, picnics, or barbecues. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad or some crusty bread. You can also scoop it into lettuce cups for a low-carb option.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve the best possible High-Protein Spring Chicken Pasta Salad every time.

Overcooking the pasta: Mushy pasta is the enemy of a good pasta salad. Always cook your pasta to al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite. Rinsing it immediately with cold water after draining also helps stop the cooking process and prevents it from sticking together.
Not cooling the pasta sufficiently: Adding warm pasta to a cold dressing will cause the dressing to thin out and potentially separate. It can also make the salad warm, which isn’t ideal for a refreshing dish. Ensure your pasta is completely cool before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Skimping on seasoning: A well-seasoned dressing is key to a flavorful pasta salad. Don’t be afraid to taste the dressing before adding it to the pasta and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember that the pasta and chicken will absorb some of the seasoning.
Adding too much dressing: While a creamy dressing is delicious, too much can make the salad soggy. Start with the recommended amount and add more if needed, keeping in mind that the pasta will absorb some liquid as it sits. It’s easier to add more than to take away.
Not chilling long enough: The flavors in pasta salad need time to meld and develop. Chilling for at least 30 minutes, or preferably an hour or two, makes a significant difference in taste. This also ensures the salad is refreshingly cold when served.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This High-Protein Spring Chicken Pasta Salad is an excellent candidate for meal prepping and can be stored effectively for future enjoyment.

To store, transfer the prepared pasta salad to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will actually deepen and improve over time, making it even more delicious on the second or third day.

If you plan to make it several days ahead, you might consider storing a small portion of the dressing separately and adding it just before serving, especially if you prefer a very creamy consistency. The pasta tends to absorb a lot of the dressing as it sits, so a little extra fresh dressing can revive it.

This salad does not freeze well due to the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables, which can become watery and change texture upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the refrigerator within the recommended storage time. When serving leftovers, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Here are some common questions people have when preparing this High-Protein Spring Chicken Pasta Salad:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of rotisserie chicken? Absolutely! If you prefer, you

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.