• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dish
  • Dessert
  • Side Dish
  • Tips & Goods
  • Soups & Salads
  • Drinks
  • Appetizer
  • Pressure Cooker

Oh So Delicioso logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dish
  • Dessert
  • Side Dish
  • Tips & Goods
  • Soups & Salads
  • Drinks
  • Appetizer
  • Pressure Cooker
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Side Dish

    Published: Jun 5, 2024 by Kadee

    Chicken Pasta Salad

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This colorful grilled Chicken Pasta Salad is sure to be a winner at all of your summer gatherings! Perfectly seasoned grilled chicken teams up with corkscrew pasta, pepper jack cheese, fresh veggies, green olives, and a quick Italian dressing for a simple dish that’s bursting with delicious flavors! Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy pasta salad is perfect as a main course or side dish.  

    Bowl of chicken pasta salad on the table.

    Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad With Chicken

    • Quick & Easy: It’s so simple to whip up this pasta salad in about 30 minutes with a few basic ingredients.
    • Packed With Nutrition: This healthy chicken pasta salad has all three main macronutrients - carbs, fat, and protein as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals for a nutritious, well-balanced meal.
    • Full of Flavor: Coating the chicken with Montreal-style seasoning instead of just salt and pepper gives it a little kick which pairs nicely with the hint of spice from the pepper jack cheese and the tangy Italian dressing for a flavor-packed pasta salad everyone will love! 

    For more crowd-pleasing pasta salads, check out our Pesto Pasta Salad and Healthy Pasta Salad next. 

    Ingredients

    Here’s a look at the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this chicken and pasta salad.

    Ingredients to make chicken pasta salad on the table before preparing.
    • Chicken: You’ll need two boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
    • Seasoning: The chicken gets a generous coating of Montreal-style seasoning for an amazing flavor. We love using the Montreal chicken seasoning by McCormick. 
    • Pasta: We used tri-color corkscrew pasta (aka rotini). Feel free to use regular rotini pasta instead of the tri-color variety, if preferred.
    • Cheese: You’ll need one block of pepper jack cheese, cut into cubes for this recipe. Feel free to use the equivalent in shredded cheese, if desired. 
    • Veggies: We used a combination of fresh broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and green olives, but you can use other veggies if you prefer.
    • Olive oil: The best tasting and healthiest option for salad dressings. Feel free to swap it with any neutral-flavored oil you enjoy.
    • Red wine vinegar: Adds great flavor but you can replace it with white wine vinegar or white vinegar if you prefer.
    • Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.
    • Dressing seasoning: Italian herbs and garlic powder are all that's needed to make a great tasty dressing.
    • Parmesan cheese: It's added to the dressing - grated is best in this case!

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free rotini such as rice pasta, corn pasta, or a blend to make this dish gluten-free.
    • Dairy-Free: Use your favorite non-dairy cheese in place of the pepper jack and ensure the Italian dressing you are using doesn’t contain any dairy.
    • More Protein: Some great ways to give this dish a protein boost are to use chickpea or lentil rotini pasta, add cannellini beans or chickpeas, and/or mix in some crumbled bacon.
    • Creamy: Make a creamy pasta salad with chicken by using your favorite creamy Italian dressing.
    • Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad: Make this recipe even easier by swapping the chicken breasts for a store-bought rotisserie chicken. 

    How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad

    To get started, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and heat an outdoor grill or grill pan.

    Step 1: Cook the pasta.  Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. 

    Step 2: Cook the chicken. Generously season the chicken with Montreal-style seasoning. Place the seasoned chicken on the preheated grill and cook until the juices run clear. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing.

    A collage showing the steps for making chicken pasta salad from cooking the pasta, grilling the chicken, making the dressing, and blanching the broccoli.

    Step 3: Make the dressing. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt in a jar. Shake it well.

    Step 4: Steam or blanch the broccoli. Steam the broccoli until crisp tender.

    Step 5: Prep the ingredients. Chop any remaining vegetables and the pepper jack cheese as indicated in the ingredient list.

    Step 6: Mix the pasta and dressing. Add the dressing to the pasta.

    A collage showing cutting the cheese, adding the dressing, and mixing the salad.

    Step 7: Assemble the salad. Add the pasta, chicken, cheese, broccoli, tomatoes, and olives to a mixing bowl.

    Step 8: Toss the salad. Then toss everything with the Italian dressing until well combined.

    A bowl of pasta salad with chicken on the table with a spoon laying across the bowl.

    Serving Suggestions

    This dish can be enjoyed warm right after making it, cold after chilling it, or at room temperature. Here are some great ideas for serving it:

    • Pack up this summer pasta salad for a picnic in the park along with some scrumptious Lemon Cake Mix Cookies for dessert!
    • Take it to your next potluck party in addition to a batch of these Baked Beans. 
    • This cold pasta salad with chicken is perfect for lunch on its own or for an easy weeknight dinner alongside some homemade French Bread.
    • It’s perfect for summertime cookouts along with all of your grilling favorites like this Shrimp on the Barbie and a pitcher of Grilled Lemonade.

    Expert Tips

    • Don’t overcook the pasta: Be sure to follow the cooking instructions on your pasta and avoid overcooking as this will cause the noodles to become mushy.
    • Rinse the pasta: I recommend rinsing the pasta as this helps to cool it down before mixing it with the other ingredients.
    • Keep it chilled: If not enjoying it immediately, chill the pasta salad with chicken in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.
    • Store leftovers in the fridge: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the cold chicken pasta salad dries out during storage, mix in a little more Italian dressing to liven it up.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do I know when my chicken is done?

    The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches at least 165° F. 

    Can I make pasta salad with chicken ahead of time?

    You can make and store the pasta salad in the fridge until ready to serve, but it is best enjoyed the same day you assemble it. To make it ahead of time, prepare and store the chicken, pasta, cheese, and veggies in separate containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, combine everything in a mixing bowl and toss with the dressing. 

    A white bowl of grilled chicken pasta salad on the table with serving utensils on the bowl.

    More Summer Salad Recipes

    • A bowl of black bean quinoa salad with squeezed lime halves and a small bowl of red onions to the side.
      Black Bean Quinoa Salad
    • Homemade coleslaw in a metal tray. There is a cup of dressing to the side.
      Easy Country Coleslaw with Apple
    • Summer corn salad in a grey bowl. IT is garnished with cilantro. There is a small bowl of dressing to the side and salad serves on the side of the bowl. The bowl is on top of a wooden cutting board with a white napkin to the side.
      Fresh Summer Corn Salad Recipe
    • Asparagus salad on a grey plate. There is a small bowl of dressing to the side.
      Fresh Asparagus Salad Recipe

    Don't Be Shy

    If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to!  And don’t forget to pin this recipe to save for later.

    A bowl of chicken pasta salad with grilled chicken on top.

    Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

    This colorful Chicken Pasta Salad is bursting with delicious flavors! Easy to make in about 30 minutes, it’s sure to be a winner at all your summer gatherings!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 460kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    Pasta Salad

    • 2 chicken breasts
    • McCormick Montreal Chicken seasoning to taste
    • 1 lb tri-color corkscrew pasta
    • 1 block pepper jack cheese cubed
    • 2 cups broccoli chopped and steamed
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
    • 7 ounces jar of green olives drained

    Dressing

    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ⅕ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
    • Meanwhile, generously season the chicken with the Montreal Chicken seasoning.
    • Grill chicken until juices run clear.
    • Cut chicken into half-inch cubes or slices.
    • Add dressing ingredients to a jar and shake to combine.
    • Combine pasta, grilled chicken, cheese, broccoli, tomatoes, and olives.
    • Toss together with dressing.
    • Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    • Don’t overcook the pasta: Be sure to follow the cooking instructions on your pasta and avoid overcooking as this will cause the noodles to become mushy.
    • Rinse the pasta: I recommend rinsing the pasta as this helps to cool it down before mixing it with the other ingredients.
    • Keep it chilled: If not enjoying it immediately, chill the pasta salad with chicken in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.
    • Store leftovers in the fridge: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the cold pasta salad dries out during storage, mix in a little more Italian dressing to liven it up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 590mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

     

    More Side Dish

    • Peanut coleslaw in a bowl with herbs around on the table.
      Crunchy Peanut Coleslaw (Wood Ranch Grill Copycat)
    • English tea sandwiches stacked up on a stack of several plates.
      English Tea Sandwiches
    • A bowl of no mayo potato salad with a wooden spoon dipping into it.
      No Mayo Potato Salad
    • 5 star deviled eggs on a marble surface with a bowl of chives in the middle.
      5 Star Deviled Eggs

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin V says

      November 30, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      5 stars
      I've seen thousands of pasta salad recipes but none have been as good as this one- love the grilled chicken

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Oh So! A cooking lifestyle blog sharing recipes, DIY, decor and more. Come join the fun for foodie and family love. click to read more!

    Our story →

    Popular

    • Italian Soda Recipe
    • Pressure Cooker {Frozen} Roast Beef and Potatoes | pressure cooker roast beef recipes | how to make roast beef in a pressure cooker | pressure cooker meal ideas | pressure cooker dinner recipes | pot roast recipes | homemade roast beef recipes | how to make homemade roast beef and potatoes | hearty dinner recipes | quick dinner recipes || Oh So Delicioso
      Perfect Pot Roast and Gravy
    • Sliced of juicy smoked turkey on a platter with oranges, herbs and pomegranates.
      The BEST Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe
    • Easy pumpkin muffins on a wire cooling rack.
      Pumpkin Cake-Mix Muffins
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    RSS Feed | Daily Emails

    Copyright © 2025 · OH SO DELICIOSO

    Pin for pinterest graphic with image of chicken pasta salad and text on top.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.