Description

This Protein-Packed Chicken Pasta Salad is a nutritious and delicious meal perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Featuring high-protein pasta and lean chicken breast combined with fresh vegetables and a creamy Greek yogurt-based dressing, it’s a flavorful, satisfying salad that is easy to prepare in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta and Chicken

8 oz high-protein pasta (chickpea, lentil, or whole wheat)
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

Vegetables

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup cucumber, diced
½ cup bell peppers, diced
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup black olives, sliced (optional)

Cheese

½ cup feta cheese or shredded Parmesan

Dressing

½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp hummus or light mayo
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the high-protein pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool to room temperature.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled pasta, diced or shredded cooked chicken breast, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell peppers, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced black olives if using.
Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the feta cheese, plain Greek yogurt, hummus or light mayo, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and dried oregano until smooth and creamy.
Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and for a chilled salad experience.

Notes

Use high-protein pasta made from chickpeas, lentils, or whole wheat for an extra boost of protein and fiber.
Leftover cooked chicken breast works perfectly in this recipe.
The salad can be served immediately or chilled for better flavor.
Feta cheese can be substituted with shredded Parmesan if preferred.
For a vegan version, replace chicken with chickpeas and use vegan yogurt and cheese alternatives.