Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Name: Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 ounces rotini or penne pasta; 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cucumber, diced; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/2 cup black olives, sliced; 1 cup Italian dressing; 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; Salt and black pepper to taste

A colorful and satisfying pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and seasoned chicken.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 18, 2026

dailyrecipesbook.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

10 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

This Italian pasta salad is a total lifesaver for busy weeknights or a sunny afternoon picnic. It is filled with crunchy veggies and tender chicken, making it a complete meal that feels light but still keeps you full.

My favorite thing about this dish is that it actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours. The dressing soaks into the pasta and chicken perfectly, so feel free to make it ahead of time when you have a busy day planned.

Ingredients

16 ounces rotini or penne pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1 bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1 cup Italian dressing
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente.
2
Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set it aside in a large mixing bowl.
3
Add the cooked chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and olives to the bowl with the pasta.
4
Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture and toss everything together until well coated.
5
Stir in the parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, then season with a little extra salt and pepper if you like.
6
Serve immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator to let the flavors blend.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, just add a splash of fresh dressing before serving to liven it up. This dish is great for potlucks because it holds its texture well.

#pasta salad #chicken #easy dinner #summer salad #healthy

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