Chicken Pasta Salad with Lemon Parmesan Dressing Recipe
This vibrant Chicken Pasta Salad combines perfectly grilled chicken breast with al dente pasta and crisp, fresh vegetables, all tossed in a creamy, tangy lemon Parmesan dressing. It’s a refreshing and satisfying meal ideal for warm weather or as a delightful lunch or dinner option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 pound Pasta
- 2 large Chicken Breast
- 1 Cucumber, chopped
- 8 oz Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1 Red Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 Red bell pepper, diced
- 1 Green or yellow Bell Pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley
- 2 sprigs Green onion, chopped
Seasoning for Chicken
- 1.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
Lemon Parmesan Dressing
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of a Lemon (about 3-4 tablespoons)
- 1.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Honey or maple syrup
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Make Lemon Parmesan Dressing: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a jar. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the dressing is creamy and emulsified. A milk frother can be used for a smoother texture.
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat tenderiser to ensure uniform cooking. Season both sides evenly with Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Grill Chicken: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the seasoned chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked and grill marks develop. Remove the chicken and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes to retain juices and enhance tenderness.
- Prepare Salad Base: While the chicken is resting, in a large salad bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped cucumber, diced red and green/yellow bell peppers, sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and green onions.
- Assemble Salad: Cut the rested grilled chicken into small chunks and add them to the salad bowl. Pour the prepared lemon Parmesan dressing over the ingredients according to taste. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all components with the dressing.
- Serve: Transfer to serving bowls or plates and enjoy this refreshing, flavorful chicken pasta salad immediately or chilled.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grilled chicken with even thickness for juicy pieces.
- You can substitute pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free varieties as desired.
- The dressing can be adjusted for sweetness or acidity by varying honey and lemon juice.
- Make sure to let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it moist.
- This salad serves well chilled and can be prepared ahead for meal prep.
Keywords: Chicken pasta salad, grilled chicken, lemon Parmesan dressing, healthy pasta salad, summer salad, easy chicken recipe
