Best Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

GREEK CHICKEN AND ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, oregano, garlic powder, pepper and lemon juice. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Slice the chicken into 1-inch-wide pieces. Set aside.
• For the breadcrumbs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium ovensafe skillet, heat the butter, olive oil and garlic over low heat until the garlic begins to sizzle. Add the breadcrumbs and salt and toss to coat. Transfer to the oven and toast until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• For the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt, oregano, pepper, garlic and lemon juice in a small bowl until combined.
• For the salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Toss with the dressing while still hot, then let cool to room temperature.
• When cool, stir in the tomatoes, cucumber and parsley. Top with the feta, sliced chicken and breadcrumbs.

CREAMY PESTO PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN, ASPARAGUS AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl; keep chilled until ready to toss with salad. (Store in clean jar with lid.)
• Bring 1 gallon of water and 2 Tbs. of salt to boil in a large soup kettle. Add pasta and, using package times as a guide, boil, stirring frequently and adding asparagus the last 1 minute, until just tender. Drain thoroughly (do not rinse) and dump onto a large, lipped cookie sheet. Set aside to cool while preparing remaining salad ingredients.
• Place all salad ingredients (except buttermilk dressing) in a large bowl or transfer to a gallon-size zippered bag. (Can be covered and refrigerated several hours at this point.) When ready to serve, add dressing; toss to coat and serve.

CHICKEN CLUB PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Whisk Italian-style dressing and mayonnaise together in a large bowl. Stir pasta, chicken, bacon, Muenster cheese, celery, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and avocado into dressing until evenly coated.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD IN CREAMY CURRY DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large kettle of boiling salted water cook the pasta for 10 minutes, or until it is tender, refresh it in a colander under cold water, and drain it well. In a large bowl combine the pasta, the chicken, the tomatoes, the scallions, and the basil.
• Make the dressing:
• In a skillet cook the garlic and the gingerroot in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until the garlic is softened, add the cream, and cook the mixture, whisking, until it is thickened slightly. Whisk in the vinegar, the curry powder, the red pepper flakes, and the chutney.
• Add the dressing to the pasta mixture, tossing the salad to combine it well, and season the salad with salt and pepper.

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and shake until very dry. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl, drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over it and toss well to coat.
• Add the chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, peppers, salami, onions and parsley. Season with salt and toss well to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil; pour it over the salad and toss well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For best flavor, let the salad stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

MANDARIN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, whisk together the ginger root, rice vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix, sugar, and garlic until well blended. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, and rinse under cold water. Place pasta in a large bowl.
• To make the salad, toss the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, carrot, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken, and almonds with the pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture, and toss again to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Stir pasta, chicken, green bell pepper, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and red onion together in a bowl. Pour salad dressing over the top and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and flavors blend, at least 2 hours.

SESAME PASTA CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame seeds, and cook stirring frequently until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain pasta, and rinse under cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
• In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine vegetable oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, and pepper. Shake well.
• Pour sesame dressing over pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Gently mix in chicken, cilantro, and green onions.

BOW TIE PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN AND ROASTED PEPPERS

Steps:

• 1. Position a rack about 6-inches from broiler and heat to high. Bring a medium-large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often, until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cold running water. Spread out on paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
• 2. Meanwhile, put the tomatoes in a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside to macerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
• 3. Arrange the peppers on a broiling pan, cut side down and broil, until blistered and black in spots, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer peppers to a bowl, cover with a lid or plate and set aside to steam for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse or scrape off the skin; cut peppers into a dice.
• 4. Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, mustard in a large bowl, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil until smooth. Add the tomatoes with accumulated juices, the roasted peppers, and parsley and toss lightly. Just before serving, add the chicken and pasta and toss gently until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

CURRY CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook chicken breasts in the boiling water until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 12 to 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Rinse chicken in cold water to cool, cut into small chunks, and refrigerate to cool completely.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook shell pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse pasta with cold water until cool; drain.
• Stir mayonnaise, yogurt, and curry powder together in a large bowl. Add cold chicken, cold pasta, peas, radish slices, and green onion slices; stir to combine.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

CREAMY HERBED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, basil, parsley, sour cream, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot; brush with the oil. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until well-marked and just cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, cook the broccoli in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a colander with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the broccoli to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl.
• Add the chicken and red peppers to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

GRILLED CHICKEN BOW TIE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 2 minutes; drain.
• Toss chicken pieces, tomatoes, pepper, cheese, olives and dressing together in a large bowl.
• Add pasta and broccoli, toss lightly.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the pasta, chicken, oil and garlic powder. Cover and chill. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salad dressing, mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper; cover and chill. Just before serving, add the red pepper, tomato, carrot and dressing to pasta mixture; gently toss to coat.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD WITH GRAPES AND POPPY SEED DRESSING

Steps:

• Empty Pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well.
• In large bowl, stir together seasoning mix and dressing. Add pasta and remaining ingredients; toss to combine. Serve immediately, or refrigerate.

CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, Parmesan, sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Add it to the large bowl and set aside.
• Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Lightly oil the grill grates or grill pan. Grill the chicken, flipping once, until well-marked and the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add the grilled chicken, romaine, celery and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

CHICKEN & PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix the pepper and onion with 1 tsp oil and roast for 20 mins.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile put the chicken breasts between two sheets of cling film and bash with a rolling pin until they're about 1cm thick. Mix remaining oil, herbs, chilli and garlic then rub all over the chicken. Heat a griddle or barbecue and cook for 3-4 mins on each side.
• Slice the chicken on a board, scrape into the pasta with any juices, plus the roasted onion and pepper, cherry tomatoes, rocket, vinegar and seasoning. Toss together and eat warm or cold.

QUICK AND EASY GARDEN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss all ingredients and refrigerate.
• Can be made up to 2 days ahead.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Can be easily doubled.

POPPY SEED CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes; drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again.
• Toss pasta, chicken, onion, cranberries, celery, and almonds together in a salad bowl; drizzle with poppy seed dressing and stir to coat.

CREAMY HERBED CHICKEN AND ARUGULA PASTA SALAD WITH ASIAGO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, chives, sour cream, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot; brush with the oil. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until well-marked and just cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the chicken, arugula, Asiago and onion to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

COMPANY CHICKEN PASTA SALAD WITH GRAPES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a medium bowl, combine chicken, celery, grapes, cooked pasta, salt, and white pepper; mix well and reserve.
• In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, curry powder, cumin, rice vinegar, and sugar; whisk ingredients together and toss with chicken mixture.
• Cover salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 to 4 hours before serving.