Tasty Chicken Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
A colorful medley of crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and zesty Italian dressing that promises to be a crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
- 1 cup cooked chicken (diced, grilled or roasted works perfectly)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup red onion (diced)
- ½ cup bell peppers (diced, any color you prefer!)
- ¼ cup black olives (sliced)
- ½ cup Italian dressing (choose a halal-friendly dressing)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain it and let it cool for a bit to ensure the salad doesn’t get soggy.
- If you haven’t already, cook your chicken. You can grill, roast, or even boil it, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- While the pasta cools, chop your cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion. Customize these ingredients based on your family’s preferences.
Mixing and Serving
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, chopped vegetables, and olives.
- Drizzle the Italian dressing over the mixture and toss everything together gently. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to help the flavors meld together.
Notes
Feel free to swap out vegetables based on your preferences or availability. For best results, prepare your dressing in advance and ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to avoid a mushy salad. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reserving some dressing for later use if enjoying leftovers.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 6mg
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