Description
This creamy chicken pasta salad is a deliciously comforting dish packed with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and crisp veggies, all tossed in a tangy, rich dressing. Perfect for picnics, meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini or bowtie)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped chicken, red onion, celery, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl.
- Gently toss everything together until evenly coated in the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, sprinkle with fresh parsley and give it a final gentle stir. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use day-old pasta for better texture.
- Rinse pasta with cold water after boiling to stop cooking and reduce stickiness.
- Adjust the consistency with a splash of milk if the salad thickens too much in the fridge.
- Best enjoyed chilled, but can be served at room temperature too.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, picnic salad, easy pasta salad