This Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect one dish meal for a hot summer day. At just $1.66 per serving, it’s a nutritious and flavorful dish that won’t break the bank. Packed with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and perfectly cooked pasta, this salad is tossed in a light and zesty dressing that brings everything together.
Chicken Pasta Salad Serving Suggestions
Add more veggies or change them out for the ones your family likes best. Chopped bell peppers (any color) do well in this pasta salad, as does cauliflower and diced tomatoes. Thaw out some frozen sweet peas and toss them in.
Adjust the amount of dressing based on the amount of vegetables you add.
Mix in 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese or top individual servings with a tablespoon of shredded Parmesan.
Drain and rinse a can of cannelini beans (white beans) to give some added protein and fiber.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1 cucumber (diced)
- 2 large carrots (diced small)
- 12 oz fresh broccoli florets (chopped small)
- 1-2 cups Zesty Italian Dressing
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Bring 2 pots of salted water to a boil.
- In one pot cook the pasta according the package directions and drain well.
- In the second pot, cook the chicken until it is done and no longer pink.
- While the pasta and chicken are still hot, mix it them in a large mixing bowl with 1/4 cup of the salad dressing. Then allow this to cool.
- DIce the cucumbers and carrots and chop the broccoli into bite sized pieces.
- Mix all of the vegeatables and the remaining dressing into the the pasta and chicken. Use enough dressing to coat the pasta but do not overdo it because the pasta will get soggy sitting in a puddle of dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours, although overnight is best.
Nutrition
Chicken Pasta Salad Cost per Serving Breakdown
Broccoli $2.69
Carrots $0.75
Cucumber $0.69
Chicken $3.79
Dressing $1.00
Pasta $1.00
Total Recipe Cost $9.92
Cost per Serving $1.66
