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–+ servings
A bowl of pasta salad with chicken, tomatoes, lemon wedges, and herbs.
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Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

This grilled chicken pasta salad is a chilled pasta meal with tangy Italian dressing flavor, crisp vegetables and marinated chicken.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Resting Time2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time2 hours 50 minutes
Course: Main Dishes, Salad
Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 488kcal
Author: Kim Schob

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mozzarella or similar cheese shredded or diced, optional
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • ½ cup Italian dressing bottled or homemade

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  • Add the oil, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a gallon-sized freezer bag and mix well.
  • Add the chicken breast and seal the bag.
  • Toss to coat and then chill overnight or for at least 2 hours.

Cook the Chicken

  • Grill the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes on each side over a medium-high heat, or until cooked through with clear-running juices.
  • Let it sit for 5 minutes, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

Cook the Pasta

  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta following the directions on the package.
  • Drain and rinse under cold running water, then let it cool completely.

Assemble the Salad

  • In a large mixing bowl, toss the pasta, chicken, tomatoes, red onion, cheese and cucumber together.
  • Pour the dressing over and toss to mix.
  • Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving, for the best flavor.

Notes

  • Salt the pasta water: Cold pasta tastes a bit flat when it isn’t seasoned during cooking.
  • Drain pasta well: Extra water can thin the Italian dressing.
  • Toss before serving: Dressing settles at the base of the bowl in the fridge, so give it a quick toss or stir before serving if it's been sitting for a while.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 846mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Vitamin D: 0.2µg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 2mg