Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Name: Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10 serving
Ingredients: 1 pound rotini pasta; 4 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small white or yellow onion; 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast; 1 to 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 1 + teaspoons kosher salt; 1 + teaspoons freshly ground black pepper; 3 to 4 cloves garlic; 1 medium zucchini; 1 medium carrot; 1 medium/large red bell pepper; 1 medium/large yellow bell pepper; ¾ cup Italian salad dressing; ¼ to ⅓ cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley; 2 tablespoons lemon juice

User Reviews

4.6

24 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings
10
Calories
384 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Italian

Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Jade Rice

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🍅🥒🥕🍗 EASY, ready in 30 minutes, perfect for a hassle-free family meal, and makes a big batch so you can have planned leftovers! A super FLEXIBLE recipe based on what vegetables you have on hand! Great for quick lunches, casual dinners, picnics, and potlucks because everyone LOVES this pasta salad!

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Ingredients

Servings

1 pound rotini pasta cooked according to package directions (another small-shaped pasta such as ziti, penne, small elbow, etc. may be substituted)
4 tablespoon olive oil or as needed
1 small white or yellow onion diced small
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast diced into bite-sized pieces
1 to 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning or to taste
1 + teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
1 + teaspoons freshly ground black pepper or to taste
3 to 4 cloves garlic finely minced or pressed
1 medium zucchini diced into small half moon-shaped pieces
1 medium carrot peeled and diced into small half moon-shaped pieces
1 medium/large red bell pepper seeded and diced small
1 medium/large yellow bell pepper seeded and diced small
¾ cup Italian salad dressing or to taste
¼ to ⅓ cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley finely minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice

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Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and place in a very large mixing bowl, and set aside. While pasta is cooking, being cooking the onion and chicken.
To a large skillet, add the olive oil, onion, and cook over medium-high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until onion begins to slightly soften; stir frequently.
Add the chicken and season with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes, flipping and stirring frequently so chicken and onions cook evenly. At any time, if the mixture looks like it needs more olive oil, add it.
When chicken has cooked through, add the garlic, and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant, stir nearly consistently.
Add the cooked chicken and onion mixture, including all cooking juices, to the bowl with cooked pasta.
Add the zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, and stir to combine. The carryover heat from the chicken and pasta will lightly soften the vegetables.
Add the Italian dressing, parsley, lemon juice, and stir to combine. Taste and check for seasoning balance, making any necessary adjustments (more Italian seasoning, more salt or pepper which is very likely since this is a very large quantity of food and I recommend not being shy with the salt and pepper, a pinch of cayenne for heat, extra splash of lemon juice, olive oil, etc.) before serving.

Notes

Tip - While the pasta is simmering, the onions and chicken are sauteeing, make sure you are working ahead chopping the remaining vegetables that need to be chopped.
Storage: Recipe can be served warm, at room temp, or chilled. It will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving Calories 384kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 58mg (19%) Sodium 1975mg (82%) Potassium 597mg (17%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 1618IU (32%) Vitamin C 46mg (51%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 384 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving
Calories	384kcal	19%
Carbohydrates	47g	16%
Protein	26g	52%
Fat	9g	14%
Saturated Fat	1g	5%
Polyunsaturated Fat	1g	6%
Monounsaturated Fat	5g	25%
Trans Fat	0.01g	1%
Cholesterol	58mg	19%
Sodium	1975mg	82%
Potassium	597mg	13%
Fiber	3g	12%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	1618IU	32%
Vitamin C	46mg	51%
Calcium	36mg	4%
Iron	1mg	6%