When you need a dish that can do double duty, this Chicken Pasta Salad is always a winner. Tender grilled chicken, corkscrew rotini pasta, and creamy fresh chèvre cheese come together in a fresh, flavorful salad that’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish yet equally at home alongside your favorite grilled meats. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or sharing a meal with friends at a cookout or potluck, this easy chicken pasta salad is one you’ll make again and again.

Easy Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta salads have a way of making everyone at the table happy while helping stretch the grocery budget. This colorful Chicken Pasta Salad is loaded with tender grilled chicken, rotini pasta, creamy chèvre cheese, and fresh vegetables, giving every bite plenty of flavor, texture, and freshness.

The grilled chicken makes it hearty enough to serve as a light lunch or easy weeknight dinner, while it’s equally at home as a side dish alongside burgers, barbecue, grilled steaks, pork chops, or sandwiches. Whether you’re packing it for weekday lunches, serving it at a backyard cookout, taking it to a church potluck or family reunion, or adding it to your holiday menu, this versatile chicken pasta salad is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making all season long.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make simple Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Pasta – Rotini pasta has ridges that clings to the dressing.
Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts add protein.
Oil – Olive oil or vegetable oil to cook the chicken.
Veggies – Black olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, green onions add texture and crunch.
Cheese – Creamy Chevre cheese elevates the taste and grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty bite.
Pesto – Store-bought basil pesto amps up the flavor.
Dressing – To make assembly quick and easy, a bottle of Italian dressing. I’ve also included a recipe for homemade Italian dressing ihn the recipe card.
Spices – Garlic salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dry Italian seasoning.
Fresh Herbs – Fresh parsley adds color and freshness to the flavor.

ingredients-to-make-chicken-rotini-pasta-salad

How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Boil Pasta – Cook rotini pasta in salted water per the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
Season and Grill Chicken – Season chicken pieces with garlic salt and pepper. Grill on medium-high heat, cook chicken per the cooking time in the recipe until juices run clear.
Combine with Cooked Pasta – In a large bowl, place pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, olives, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, green onion, parsley, red pepper flakes and reserved garlic salt.
Pesto and Dressing – Add dressing and basil pesto. Toss until well coated.
Cheese – Add chevre cheese in chunks. Gently mix through, the pasta.
Refrigerate – Place into an airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Serve garnished with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Kitchen Equipment to make Chicken Rotini Pasta Salad

Large pasta pot or deep pot to cook the rotini pasta.
Large bowl.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Large rubber spatula or spoon for mixing everything together.
Knife and cutting board.
Cheese grater.
Skillet, grill pan or grill to cook the chicken breasts.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substituions

Chicken – The grilled chicken for this salad is prepared per the recipe. For a shortcut you could use rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken. You could even use leftover thanksgiving turkey for a round two meal.
Mix-Ins – You can also adapt using chopped artichokes, crunchy celery, carrots, avocado or pepperoncini peppers.
Bacon – You could add crispy bacon for a smoky flavor.
Cheese – You could use small cubes of mozzarella cheese in place of chevre.
Pasta – You could make this recipe using other pasta with ridges, like penne rigate, jumbo macaroni, ziti or any short pasta. I prefer rotini as it really clings to the zesty Italian dressing.
What is Chevre? Chevre is goat cheese in French and is often used when referring to fresh goat cheeses in particular. Fresh goat cheese, or chevre, features a bright, tart, tangy, and delicious flavor profile. It adds to the flavor of this salad lending a creaminess to the dressing.
Goat Cheese – Goat cheese comes in all shapes, sizes, some have been seasoned with garlic and herbs or unseasoned. You can use any of your favorite varieties of goat cheese such as a simple crumbled feta for this salad, if you prefer.
Lighter Version – To lighten this rotini pasta salad, you can use a lighter Italian salad dressing.
Homemade Italian Dressing – For ease of preparation, it’s perfectly fine to use a quality bottled Italian dressing for this salad. For your convenience, I’ve added a homemade version in the Cook’s notes. I’ve done it both ways and either way it’s a winner.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store Chicken Pasta Salad in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer – I don’t recommend freezing this pasta salad. The fresh vegetables will become mushy when thawed in the fridge. It’s best to make it and enjoy it!

More Southern Style Pasta Salad Recipes to Make

Whether you’re planning a casual meal, backyard soiree with friends or heading out for a summer picnic. pasta salad in some form should always be on the menu. A few other recipes you may like to try:

BLT Layered Pasta Salad is a fusion of flavors you’ll love.
Pizza Pasta Salad is dressed with Italian dressing.
Asian Sesame Chicken Pasta that can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled
Italian Penne Pasta Salad is packed with flavor.
Homestyle Macaroni Salad features a flavorful homemade mayo based dressing for the creamy pasta salad fans at your table.
Italian Spaghetti Salad with spinach.
Fresh Fruity Chicken Pasta Salad from Family Fresh Meals.

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