My Chicken Pasta Salad

Elevate your next meal with "My Chicken Pasta Salad," a vibrant and satisfying dish that's perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers. This recipe combines perfectly cooked penne pasta with tender, golden-browned chicken breasts seasoned with garlic powder for a savory kick. Fresh grape tomatoes, crisp cucumber, zesty red onion, and a generous helping of baby spinach add a burst of color and crunch, while a creamy homemade dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and honey ties everything together beautifully. Finished with fragrant dill and parsley, this chilled chicken pasta salad is as refreshing as it is flavorful. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a versatile choice for a wholesome main course or delightful side dish. Perfect keywords: chicken pasta salad, creamy dressing, quick meal, chilled salad recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 200 grams penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon dried dill
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Season the chicken breasts evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from heat and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.

Step 4

Meanwhile, chop the grape tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and set aside.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken strips, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and baby spinach.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, dried dill, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in the chopped parsley.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the pasta and chicken mixture. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust for seasoning if needed. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy this delicious chicken pasta salad as a main dish or side!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1267.7 grams (1267.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2575

Total Fat 131.40g	168%
Saturated Fat 16.00g	80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 415mg	138%
Sodium 2992mg	130%
Total Carbohydrate 202.60g	74%
Dietary Fiber 13.00g	46%
Total Sugars 17.40g
Protein 142.00g	284%

Vitamin D 4IU	18%
Calcium 220mg	17%
Iron 14mg	79%
Potassium 2210mg	47%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.2%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 31.6%