From potlucks to parties, pasta salad is always a hit. Let these chicken pasta salad recipes wow the crowd at your next shindig.
14 Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes We Love
1/14
Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves pasta salads, but usually they have too much mayonnaise or oily dressing. Using hummus gives this dish a great taste and texture, while also increasing its nutritional profile. Adding chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken works well), makes this pasta salad a complete meal. —Jenny Lynch, Rock Island, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 263 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
2/14
Gingered Spaghetti Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love to make this chilled chicken salad brimming with veggies. Make it meatless by omitting the chicken and tossing in more edamame. —Cindy Heinbaugh, Aurora, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 355 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 431mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 7g fiber), 26g protein.
3/14
Special Sesame Chicken Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
22 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With its delicious mix of crunchy peanuts, tangy dried cranberries and mandarin oranges, this colorful Asian chicken salad is a definite crowd-pleaser. Water chestnuts and a teriyaki dressing give this main dish its Asian flare. —Carolee Ewell, Santaquin, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 302 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 358mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
4/14
Spinach Salad with Tortellini & Roasted Onions
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Spinach and tortellini go so well together, and this salad makes an easy meal with leftover cooked chicken. What really makes it special are the roasted onions that add oomph to bottled salad dressing. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 448 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 887mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.
5/14
Cashew-Chicken Rotini Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve tried many chicken salad recipes over the years, but this is my very favorite. It’s fresh, fruity and refreshing, and the cashews add wonderful crunch. Every time I serve it at a potluck or picnic, I get rave reviews…and always come home with an empty bowl! —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 661 calories, 37g fat (6g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 451mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
6/14
Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love all the colors and flavors of this quick and easy dish and serve it often in summer, to the delight of my guests! You can’t beat the combination of Gorgonzola and bacon. Leftover grilled shrimp makes a tasty substitute for chicken. —Terry McCarty, Oro Grande, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cup: 408 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.
7/14
Almond-Apricot Chicken Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can’t be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 411 calories, 24g fat (6g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
8/14
Chicken Pasta Caesar Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My colleagues and I made a pact to eat healthier, and we took turns sharing dishes. I’m happy to report that, thanks to recipes like this crisp and tangy salad, we all trimmed down. —Teresa Jordan, Springville, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 422 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 416mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein.
9/14
Turkey and Pasta Ranch Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, and the classic ranch dressing makes it appealing to kids. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 256 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 383mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
10/14
Thai Chicken Pasta Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined several recipes to come up with my healthier twist on traditional pad thai. My version has only one-third the sodium of frozen versions you find in the store. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 400 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 9g fiber), 25g protein.
11/14
Summer Chicken Macaroni Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For sunny, lazy days, I make a loaded macaroni salad that’s like three salads in one. The mix of fresh veggies, sweet peaches and crunchy pistachios is a surprisingly delicious combo. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 312 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
12/14
Strawberry-Chicken Pasta Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I figured out how to re-create this restaurant dish at home, my family was so excited. For a different spin, use raspberries or peaches instead of strawberries. —Jane Ozment, Purcell, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 450 calories, 20g fat (3g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 39g protein.
13/14
Sesame Chicken Noodle Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my go-to recipe when I have no time. It’s quick, easy and you can use almost anything from the fridge. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 519 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 631mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 10g fiber), 35g protein.
14/14
BLT Macaroni Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a friend served this BLT pasta salad, I just had to get the recipe. My husband loves BLT sandwiches, so this has become a favorite of his. It's nice to serve on hot and humid days, which we frequently get during summer here in Virginia. —Mrs. Hamilton Myers Jr., Charlottesville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 259 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.