Refreshing Chicken Pasta Salad with Zesty Lemon Dressing (Print Version)

Refreshing Chicken Pasta Salad: Your go-to summer dish! Zesty lemon-herb dressing coats tender chicken, pasta, and fresh veggies. Perfect for picnics!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Dairy-Free (if no cheese added)

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Protein Base

01 - 12 oz (340g) short pasta, like rotini or fusilli
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (from rotisserie or grilled)

→ Fresh Veggies & Herbs

03 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 large cucumber, diced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

→ Zesty Lemon-Herb Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
09 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Optional Extras

14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
15 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first, get a big pot of water boiling. Don't forget to generously salt the water—it's your only chance to season the pasta from the inside out! Cook your short pasta according to package directions until it's perfectly al dente. This is where I always forget to set a timer, so learn from my mistakes! Once it's done, drain it well and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. We want a refreshing salad, not a warm one, right? Give it a good shake to remove excess water.
02 - While your pasta is doing its thing, you can get all your other ingredients ready. Dice your red onion finely; if you're sensitive to its bite like I am, soak it in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes, then drain. Halve those cherry tomatoes, dice your cucumber, and chop up your fresh parsley and dill. Shred or dice your cooked chicken. This is the part where my kitchen usually looks like a chaotic herb garden, but it’s all part of the fun!
03 - Now for the magic! In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good, vigorous whisk until it’s all emulsified and looks slightly creamy. I always give it a quick taste here—does it need more lemon? More salt? This is your moment to adjust. It should smell bright and zesty!
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooled pasta, the shredded chicken, diced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced cucumber. Pour that incredible lemon-herb dressing all over everything. Honestly, this step feels so satisfying, seeing all those vibrant colors come together. I've had moments where I've poured it too fast and made a little splash, but hey, that's kitchen life!
05 - Now, gently fold in your chopped fresh parsley and dill. I like to add them at this stage to keep them bright and fresh, rather than letting them sit in the dressing for too long. Mix it all up until every piece of pasta and chicken is coated in that delicious dressing. It should look vibrant and smell absolutely incredible, like a summer breeze.
06 - Cover the bowl and pop your <span class="keyphrase">Refreshing Chicken Pasta Salad</span> into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This chilling time is crucial! It allows all those amazing flavors to meld together and for the salad to get properly cold and refreshing. Trust me, a warm pasta salad just doesn't hit the same. Give it a final toss before serving, and maybe a little extra fresh parsley for garnish, because presentation matters, even for a casual dish!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook your pasta; al dente is key for a refreshing salad. Trust me, I've had mushy pasta salads before, and it's just sad.
02 - This salad actually tastes better the next day once the flavors mingle! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
03 - No rotisserie chicken? Grilled chicken breasts work beautifully, or even leftover roasted chicken. I've even used canned chicken in a pinch, shhh!
04 - A sprinkle of feta or some toasted pine nuts really makes this Refreshing Chicken Pasta Salad pop, adding a lovely salty crunch.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large pot
02 - colander
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife
05 - small mixing bowl
06 - large mixing bowl
07 - whisk

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-450
Total Fat: 18-25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 20-25g

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