Description
This Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish that perfectly balances flavors and textures, making it ideal for gatherings or a quick weeknight meal. Featuring tender grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy mozzarella, this salad is both nutritious and delicious. The zesty homemade Italian dressing adds a delightful finishing touch that elevates the entire dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup cucumber, quartered and sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, halved
- ¾ cup small mozzarella balls, halved
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1¼ cups Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tbsp finely minced red bell pepper
- 1½ tsp dried minced onion
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ¾ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot. Add salt to the boiling water before adding the rotini pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain using a colander and set aside to cool.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning on both sides. Grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked. Let them rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, mozzarella balls, and parsley. Toss gently to mix.
- In another bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar with grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, minced red bell pepper, dried onion, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, sugar, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- In a large mixing bowl or serving dish, combine cooked pasta with grilled chicken and vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Chill for about 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Customize by adding your favorite vegetables or different pasta shapes. For added crunch, consider including nuts or seeds like pine nuts or sunflower seeds.