Description
Protein-Packed Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant, nutritious dish that brings together tender chicken, colorful veggies, and hearty pasta, all drizzled with a tangy dressing. This salad is perfect for picnics or weeknight dinners, providing a satisfying and energizing meal. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s sure to impress your family and friends while keeping you on track with your health goals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 cups pasta (farfalle or rotini)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- ½ cup red onion, sliced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the chicken in boiling salted water until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), about 15-20 minutes. Let cool and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same pot or another pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Chop the vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumbers, chop bell peppers, and slice red onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, pasta, vegetables, and dressing. Toss until everything is well coated.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for an hour to enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg