Chicken Pasta Salad: Lemon Herb Dressing Tangy Recipe (Print Version)

Fresh Chicken Pasta Salad with bright Lemon Herb Dressing! Quick to make, perfect for any meal. My personal recipe, full of flavor and easy tips.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Dietary: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients for Chicken Pasta Salad

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 8 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
03 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

→ Lemon Herb Dressing Essentials

05 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
06 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Fresh Add-ins & Garnish

10 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that pasta cooking! Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil—and I mean *salted*, like the sea. This is where the pasta gets its initial flavor, and honestly, I always forget to add enough salt at first. Add your short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. You want it tender but with a little bite, not mushy! Once it's done, drain it and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. This is crucial for a cold pasta salad, trust me.
02 - While the pasta is doing its thing, you can prep the other bits. Shred or dice your cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. I usually aim for about half-inch chunks, but honestly, whatever works for you! Then, halve those cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion (remember my tip about soaking it if you're sensitive to raw onion?), and give your fresh parsley and dill a good chop. Seeing all those vibrant colors come together, it just makes me happy, you know?
03 - Now for the magic! In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, good quality olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. This Lemon Herb Dressing is the heart of our Chicken Pasta Salad. I usually start with a tablespoon or two of lemon juice, then taste and add more if I want extra zing. It should smell wonderfully bright and tangy! Give it a good whisk until it's emulsified and looks slightly creamy. Don't be afraid to taste and adjust! It's your kitchen, after all.
04 - Time to bring it all together! In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Make sure everything is evenly distributed. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, with stray tomatoes rolling off the counter, oops! But that's part of the fun, right? Just get it all in there, ready for that glorious Lemon Herb Dressing.
05 - Pour that beautiful Lemon Herb Dressing over the pasta mixture. Now, here's the key: toss everything gently but thoroughly. You want every piece of pasta, every bit of chicken, and every tomato to be coated in that zesty Lemon Herb Dressing, making for a perfect Chicken Pasta Salad. I usually use two large spoons or even my clean hands to make sure it's all mixed up. It should look glistening and smell absolutely divine!
06 - Finally, fold in your freshly chopped parsley and dill. These delicate herbs add a final burst of freshness and color. Give it another gentle toss. Now, for the hardest part: cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour. This chilling time allows the flavors of the Lemon Herb Dressing to really deepen and mingle. It’s worth the wait, I promise! The Chicken Pasta Salad tastes so much better when it's had a chance to chill.

# Notes:

01 - Always rinse your cooked pasta with cold water for a pasta salad; it prevents stickiness and stops further cooking.
02 - Fresh lemon juice and herbs are *non-negotiable* for this Lemon Herb Dressing; dried just won't give you the same vibrant flavor.
03 - Don't be shy about seasoning! Taste the dressing and the finished salad, then adjust salt and pepper as needed.
04 - For an extra flavor boost, marinate your cooked chicken in a little extra Lemon Herb Dressing for 30 minutes before adding to the Chicken Pasta Salad.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - colander
03 - mixing bowls
04 - whisk
05 - cutting board
06 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

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