Pasta Salad with Chicken
By: Mike, Posted: 7/11/2023
A great summer dish is Pasta Salad. Our Pasta Salad with Chicken takes very minimal effort but really packs a punch in the flavor department.
Looking for more side dishes to complete your dinner tonight? Try out our Parmesan Broccoli and Asparagus or Quick and Easy Mexican Rice. Both are tasty and easy to make.
Our Pasta Salad with Chicken
Everyone in our family loves pasta, I know right! So, Pasta Salad! Both Minda and I love Pasta Salad and have been enjoying our families versions since childhood. A combination of both recipes has made our recipe an awesome hit. Our Pasta Salad is great for any potluck, picnic, or party. Even our niece who is the pickiest eater ever, has given it the two thumbs up approval.
One of the best parts of our Pasta Salad is how versatile it is. Not a fan of artichoke hearts? No worries, try some fresh asparagus. We have been known to utilize whatever veggies we have on hand; carrots, onion, bell pepper, etc. We’ve tried them all and the Pasta Salad tastes just as wonderful.
Ingredients, Substitutions, and Additions
Chicken – We like to use Chicken Tenderloins to save some time, but Chicken Breast or Thighs are both wonderful.
Italian Marinated Chicken – Using a bottle of Italian dressing is one of our favorite ways to marinate chicken with no effort at all. It really enhances the flavor of the chicken and melds well with the Pasta Salad. However, a good alternative to the marinade is mixing up a dry rub. Coat you chicken in some garlic, onion, pepper, salt, and paprika then cook.
Cheese – Choose a cheese you like. We used a Colby jack but a medium cheddar pairs well with our Pasta Salad.
Olives – We love putting Manzanilla Olives with Minced Pimiento but pitted black olives add their own unique flavor that we also like.
Artichoke Hearts – We use marinated Artichoke Hearts but if you are looking for a healthier option, Artichoke Hearts in water pair well with any combination of ingredients.
Salami…or Pepperoni – Salami is a recent addition to our pasta salad. We like to get a whole salami stick and cut it into the perfect pieces. Pepperoni prepped in the same way as salami will add some zip.
Veggies – Try adding some asparagus or broccoli. I know it sounds crazy but it a perfect way to add some veggies into your pasta salad. Onion is my favorite addition to Pasta Salad because it gives a bit of texture and zippiness to the dish. Cut into ½ inch pieces and mixed in is awesome.
Preferred Pairings for Pasta Salad with Chicken
Our Pasta Salad with Chicken is perfect alongside our Fall off the Bone Crock-Pot Ribs, The Perfect Medium Steak, or a Philly Cheesesteak.
- Fall off the Bone Crock-Pot Ribs – Craving some Ribs? Check out our Fall off the Bone Crock-Pot Ribs. Perfect for dinner or a hit at your next potluck.
- The Perfect Medium Steak – Need an idea for dinner. How about Steak. For the perfectly cooked medium steak every time just follow these easy steps.
- Philly Cheesesteak – Looking for an easy Philly Cheesesteak recipe? Check out this tasty cheesesteak recipe that will feed the whole family.
Ingredients for Pasta Salad with Chicken
- 1 12 oz box Tri Color Rotini
- 1 16 oz bag frozen Cheese Tortellini
- 1 10 oz jar Manzanilla Olives with minced Pimiento
- 1 14.5 oz can Marinated Artichoke Hearts
- 1 lb Chicken Tenderloins
- 8 oz Block of Colby Jack Cheese
- 8 oz Feta Cheese
- 8 oz Hard Salami
- 1 bottle Italian Dressing
Directions
Italian Marinated Chicken
Remove chicken tenderloins from packaging and place in a gallon resealable bag. Add 1 bottle of Italian dressing and let marinade for 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Place in refrigerator. Pull out 15 minutes prior to cooking and let rest at room temperature.
Bring a large pan up to a medium heat and add oil. When the oil begins to ripple, add Chicken Tenderloins and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, flip halfway through to prevent burning. Set aside and allow to cool.
Pasta Salad with Chicken
Cook both the Tri Color Rotini and the Cheese Tortellini according to the package instructions. Once the rotini and tortellini are fully cooked, run them under cold water to bring them down to room temperature and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
Drain olives and Artichoke Hearts and add them in with the noodles.
Cut cooked Chicken, Colby Jack Cheese, Feta Cheese, and Salami into ½ inch pieces and add to the bowl.
Stir in ¾ bottle of Italian dressing and mix well. Plate and enjoy.
Hi, We are Mike and Minda. Thank you for stopping to take a look at our Kick’n Kitchen! We are a husband and wife team that have a love for food and cooking. Come with us on our journey of rediscovering recipes from our youth and find new recipes to fall in love with.
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Pasta Salad with Chicken
6
servings45
minutes20
minutesA great summer dish is Pasta Salad. Our Pasta Salad with Chicken takes very minimal effort but really packs a punch in the flavor department.
Ingredients
1 12 oz box Tri Color Rotini
1 16 oz bag frozen Cheese Tortellini
1 10 oz jar Manzanilla Olives with minced Pimiento
1 14.5 oz can Marinated Artichoke Hearts
1 lb Chicken Tenderloins
8 oz Block of Colby Jack Cheese
8 oz Feta Cheese
8 oz Hard Salami
1 bottle Italian Dressing
Directions
- Italian Marinated Chicken
- Remove chicken tenderloins from packaging and place in a gallon resealable bag. Add 1 bottle of Italian dressing and let marinade for 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Place in refrigerator. Pull out 15 minutes prior to cooking and let rest at room temperature.
- Bring a large pan up to a medium heat and add oil. When the oil begins to ripple, add Chicken Tenderloins and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, flip halfway through to prevent burning. Set aside and allow to cool.
- Pasta Salad with Chicken
- Cook both the Tri Color Rotini and the Cheese Tortellini according to the package instructions. Once the rotini and tortellini are fully cooked, run them under cold water to bring them down to room temperature and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Drain olives and Artichoke Hearts and add them in with the noodles.
- Cut cooked Chicken, Colby Jack Cheese, Feta Cheese, and Salami into ½ inch pieces and add to the bowl.
- Stir in ¾ bottle of Italian dressing and mix well. Plate and enjoy.
