Description
This Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect blend of tender cooked chicken, hearty rotini pasta, and fresh vegetables tossed in a luscious homemade dressing. Combining mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, this salad bursts with creamy tang and vibrant flavors, making it an ideal dish for picnics, potlucks, or easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups rotini or penne pasta
- 1 pound cooked chicken breast, diced
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Dice the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and chop the green onions finely. Set all aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Whisk together until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors according to preference.
- Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and green onions. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, give the salad a final stir and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute rotini or penne pasta with any short pasta shape you prefer.
- For added crunch, consider adding chopped celery or nuts like almonds or walnuts.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make it lighter, reduce the amount of mayonnaise and add more Greek yogurt.
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before adding to the salad.
