This Italian chicken pasta salad is infused with herbs and a hit of lemon. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and most importantly, high protein!

Pasta salads are great! They are quick, easy, and great when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend too much time cooking.

I’ve made thousands of pasta salads. However, most of them lack flavor, and let’s be honest, they aren’t as nutritious as they should be.

This pasta salad is packed with vibrant veggies, tender rotisserie chicken, and authentic Italian flavors. Each serving offers 22 grams of protein.

With this meal, you are only going to need roughly 30 minutes to prepare and cook all the ingredients.

Now, that’s the kind of dish I like, the easier, the quicker, the more nutritious, the better!

Ingredients and Substitutes

PASTA SALAD

Dry rotini pasta (1 lb) – If you don’t have rotini, you can use penne or farfalle.

Extra virgin olive oil (1 tsp) – You can also use regular olive oil (although extra virgin olive oil offers more health benefits), or you can also use avocado oil.

Shredded Rotisserie chicken (1 cup) – Roast chicken works as well. For a vegetarian option, use chickpeas or marinated tofu.

Cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups) – Grape tomatoes or diced large tomatoes can also be used.

Whole milk mozzarella, diced (8 oz) – Swap for bocconcini, feta, or vegan cheese.

Red bell pepper, diced (1) – You can use any color of bell pepper to add more nutrients and flavor to the meal.

English cucumber, diced (½) – Regular cucumbers work too; just make sure you dressed them first.

Red onion, sliced (1) – If you want a milder flavor, you can use shallots or yellow onions. If you don’t like raw onions, try using onion flakes.

Olives, deseeded and halved (1/2 cup) – Kalamata or green olives add a salty, umami kick.

Fresh parsley, chopped (½ cup) – Swap for cilantro for a stronger flavor or dill for a more subtle taste.

Sea salt (1 tsp)

Black pepper, to taste

Fresh basil leaves (1/2 cup)

ITALIAN DRESSING

Olive oil (1/4 cup)

White wine vinegar (1 tbsp) – You can replace it with apple cider vinegar.

Garlic powder (1/2 tsp) – Swap with granulated garlic or garlic flakes.

Dried oregano (1/4 tsp) – Use fresh oregano for a more intense flavor.

Dried basil (1/4 tsp) – You can also use fresh basil.

Paprika powder (1/4 tsp) – Replace with smoked paprika or chipotle powder.

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Lemon juice (1 tsp) – Lime juice works too.

How to Make Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Step 1. Place a large pot of salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the packaging instructions. Make sure you cook it al dente (soft on the outside and slightly hard in the middle).

Drain the pasta, add 1 tsp of olive oil, and give it a toss to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Let it cool down to room temperature. 

Step 2. Add the pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, fresh parsley and basil in a large bowl. Give it a toss.

Step 3. Add the cucumbers, cheese, and onions. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 4. Give it another toss to combine everything.

Step 5. In a small bowl, add all the spices from the dressing.

Step 6. Mix everything thoroughly.

Step 7. Add the wet ingredients (olive oil, white wine vinegar, and lemon juice). Give it another mix to combine all the ingredients.

Step 8. Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss gently to coat all the ingredients. When you are ready to serve, garnish with the remaining basil leaves. 

How I Modify This Recipe

• Make it Vegetarian: Replace the chicken with chickpeas, tofu, or even roasted veggies like zucchini and eggplant.
• Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta to have a gluten-free meal without compromising the taste or texture. You can also use quinoa as a gluten-free replacement.
• Boost The Protein: Add more protein like sautéed shrimp, boiled eggs, or even prosciutto.
• Add More Veggies: Toss in artichoke hearts, roasted asparagus, or sun-dried tomatoes.
• Spice It Up: If you like heat, add red chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.

My Other Pasta Recipes

• Creamy Cajun Pasta Chicken
• Cottage Cheese Pasta
• Chicken Meatballs with Orzo