Best 4 Cheesy Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our Cheesy Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad, a delectable dish that combines tender chicken, vibrant spinach, al dente pasta, and a creamy, cheesy dressing. This versatile salad serves as a satisfying main course or a delightful side dish, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight meal. With its vibrant colors and irresistible taste, this salad is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

In addition to the main recipe, we also offer variations to suit different dietary preferences and tastes. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, our meatless version replaces chicken with roasted vegetables, creating a hearty and flavorful salad. For those seeking a creamy and indulgent experience, our Alfredo sauce variation adds a luscious and velvety touch to the dish. And for a lighter and refreshing option, our lemon vinaigrette dressing brings a burst of citrusy brightness to the salad.

Each variation is meticulously crafted to deliver a unique culinary experience, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, our Cheesy Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad and its variations will guide you through the process with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you feeling satisfied and delighted.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESY DITALINI WITH CHICKEN AND SPINACH



Cheesy Ditalini with Chicken and Spinach image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups ditalini
1 shallot, minced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup milk
Freshly ground pepper
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded gruyère cheese
Toasted breadcrumbs, for topping

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and thyme and cook until softened. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes, then whisk in the broth and milk. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, whisking, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the chicken, spinach and pasta and cook to heat through. Stir in the gruyère and season with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 bowls and top with toasted breadcrumbs.

PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN AND SPINACH RECIPE



Pasta Salad With Chicken and Spinach Recipe image

This is a flavorful chicken and pasta salad, with garlic, bell pepper, spinach, and a lemony mayonnaise dressing.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Dinner     Entree     Salad     Pasta     Salad

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces pasta (fusilli, rotini, etc.)
1 1/2 to 2 cups spinach leaves
1/2 red bell pepper
12 grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes , halved)
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 medium clove garlic (finely minced)
2 cups chopped chicken (cooked or canned)
1 to 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon or a favorite gourmet mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
salt (to taste)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the package directions; drain and rinse well. Set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, chop the spinach leaves coarsely and diced the red bell pepper half.
  • Toss the cooled and drained pasta with the spinach, red bell pepper, tomato halves, onion, garlic, and chicken.
  • Combine 1 cup of the mayonnaise with wine vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, pepper, and basil.
  • Toss the dressing mixture with the pasta mixture. Add more mayonnaise, if needed. Taste and add salt, as needed. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving time for best flavor.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1148 kcal, Carbohydrate 80 g, Cholesterol 133 mg, Fiber 11 g, Protein 50 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 695 mg, Fat 71 g, ServingSize 4 portions (4 servings), UnsaturatedFat 54 g

CHICKEN SPINACH PASTA SALAD



Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad image

Since we grow and harvest our own spinach, we use it in lots of dishes. One of our favorite ways to enjoy it is in this pasta salad.-Ruby Pyles, Myersville, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 12-16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 cups torn fresh spinach
4 cups cooked spiral pasta
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
2-1/2 cups sliced celery
2 cups green grapes, halved
1 cup fresh snow peas
1 medium tomato, chopped
3 green onions, sliced
DRESSING:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped onion

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 212 calories, Fat 10g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 31mg cholesterol, Sodium 203mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

CHICKEN AND SPINACH PASTA SALAD



Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad image

My family loves pasta salads, but usually they have too much mayonnaise or oily dressing. Using hummus gives this dish a great taste and texture, while also increasing its nutritional profile. Adding chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken works well), makes this pasta salad a complete meal. -Jenny Lynch, Rock Island, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces uncooked whole wheat rotini
1/2 cup hummus
3 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water., Combine hummus, salad dressing, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add pasta; toss to coat. Stir in spinach, chicken, tomatoes and olives. Sprinkle with feta. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 405mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  • If you don't have any cooked chicken, you can use rotisserie chicken or canned chicken. Just be sure to shred it before adding it to the salad.
  • You can use any type of pasta you like for this salad. Short pastas, like penne or rotini, work well. You can also use longer pastas, like spaghetti or linguine, but you may need to cut them into smaller pieces.
  • If you don't have any fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach. Just be sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess water before adding it to the salad.
  • You can add other vegetables to this salad, such as chopped red onion, bell pepper, or cucumber.
  • For a creamy dressing, add 1/4 cup of mayonnaise or sour cream to the vinaigrette.
  • Serve this salad immediately or chill it for later. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

This cheesy chicken spinach pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The combination of chicken, spinach, pasta, and cheese is sure to please everyone at your table.

Related Topics