Best 3 Best Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

Indulge in a culinary journey with our enticing chicken pasta salad, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish combines succulent chicken, tender pasta, a medley of crisp vegetables, and a tangy homemade dressing, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. Elevate your next gathering with this versatile salad, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a delightful lunch option. Discover a collection of irresistible variations, including a creamy Caesar dressing, a zesty Greek dressing, and a refreshing lemon-herb dressing, each adding a unique twist to this classic dish. Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant flavors and delightful simplicity of our chicken pasta salad.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD WITH CREAMY DRESSING

Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing image

Recipe video above. This is a big batch Chicken Pasta Salad with plenty of creamy dressing, lightened up using a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise so it's not excessively oil. Make it today, enjoy it for days!After a no mayo version? Use a Creamy Yogurt Dressing instead.

Provided by Nagi

Categories Lunch Pasta Salad meal

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

500g / 1 lb macaroni / elbow pasta ((or other pasta of choice))
1 tbsp salt ((to cook pasta))
3 cups cooked chicken (, shredded or finely chopped (Note 1))
150g / 5 oz bacon (, chopped)
2 celery stalks (, finely sliced)
1 red capsicum / bell pepper (, finely diced)
2 green onions (, finely sliced)
2 carrots ((medium), shredded using standard box grater)
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, tasty, Colby)
2 avocados ((small/medium), cut into bite size pieces (optional))
1 cup mayonnaise (, whole egg best (Hellmann's, Best Foods, S&W or other whole egg mayonnaise))
1 cup sour cream (, full fat (low fat ok too))
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
4 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Steps:

Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add salt, then cook pasta per packet directions. Drain well, let cool.
Dressing: Mix Dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside 10 minutes+.
Cook bacon: Place bacon in a cold non-stick skillet (Note X). Turn stove on to medium high, then cook bacon until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Toss! Place cooked pasta in a large bowl along with all the Pasta Salad ingredients, reserving some bacon for garnish. Pour over Dressing, then toss well.
Set aside for 20 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining bacon. Serve!
Storage: Keeps for 3 - 4 days in the fridge. Best to bring to room temp before serving!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 548 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 33 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 76 mg, Sodium 1355 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Italian Chicken Pasta Salad image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

Kosher salt
3 cups dried elbow macaroni
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup cubed rotisserie chicken
1 cup diced English cucumber (about 1/3 cucumber)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped pitted Nicoise olives
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers (about 1 whole)
1/2 cup 1/4-inch diced hard salami (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup diced red onion (about 1/2 small)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 ounces ricotta salata, grated, or crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup red wine vinegar

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.

CHICKEN CLUB PASTA SALAD

Chicken Club Pasta Salad image

Chicken club sandwich-style pasta! Substitute Monterey Jack cheese for the Muenster, if desired.

Provided by Lane J

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

8 ounces corkscrew-shaped pasta
¾ cup Italian-style salad dressing
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 cups chopped, cooked rotisserie chicken
12 slices crispy cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup cubed Muenster cheese
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and chopped

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.1 g, Cholesterol 47.9 mg, Fat 30.1 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.1 g, Sodium 723 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Pasta Salad:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your pasta salad. Choose ripe tomatoes, crisp celery, and tender chicken.
Cook the pasta al dente: Pasta should be cooked until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and ruin the texture of your salad.
Let the pasta cool before assembling the salad: This will help prevent the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soggy.
Use a light hand with the dressing: You don't want to overpower the other flavors in the salad. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more to taste.
Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors meld together and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Chicken pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give chicken pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!