When it’s a hot and busy day, and you want something cold and tasty, but you have only half an hour. Then this summer chicken pasta salad recipe is the best choice for you. It is something that you can make in under 25 minutes and eat for lunch or a light dinner. If you have cooked chicken, leftovers, or rotisserie chicken, then you have done half the job.
This is something that you want to have on a summer day as a refreshing, creamy, and tasty meal.
Why this Summer Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe is Perfect in Under 25 Minutes
It is possible to make it under 25 minutes, and that can be a bit surprising to many of you. But it’s doable, because you can multitask here. When you are boiling the pasta, you can chop a few fresh veggies and stir up a quick dressing.
This recipe is also made for two people, which means:
- No giant bowl of leftovers unless you want them
- Less chopping, less waste
- Fast cleanup
Best Pasta Shapes for a Summer Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Short pasta is my personal preference for pasta salad. Rotini is a classic choice because the spiral holds onto creamy dressing. They don’t feel slippery on the fork and grab a perfect shape onto the dressing.
Good choices:
- Rotini (top pick)
- Bowties
- Penne
- Cavatappi
Beginner tip: Ensure the pasta is cooked tender, but not too soft. If it becomes too soft, you will end up with a mushy pasta salad that can feel heavy instead of fresh.
Summer Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Medium pot (for pasta)
- Colander/strainer
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
- Whisk or fork
- Tongs or a large spoon
- Paper towels (optional, for drying veggies)
Ingredients
Pasta + Chicken
- 1 ½ cups Dry Rotini (or penne/bowties)
- 1 cup Cooked Chicken, diced or shredded (about 1 small cooked breast)
Veggies + Add-ins
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- ½ Cucumber, chopped
- ¼ Red Onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup Corn (canned and drained, or thawed frozen corn)
- ¼ cup Crumbled Feta (or shredded mozzarella)
- 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh Parsley or Basil (optional but great)
Quick Creamy Dressing
- 3 tablespoons Mayo
- 2 tablespoons Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon Garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon Salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tablespoon Black pepper
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
Boil the pasta
Take a medium pot and fill it with water. Add a good pinch of salt there and bring it to a boil. Add the rotini and cook until tender. Make sure you don't make them too soft. They can get mushy if you cook them too soft. Usually, an 8-10 minute cooking time is enough. Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick. This is the core of your summer chicken pasta salad recipe.
Cool it down fast
Now take a colander and drain the pasta in it. Rinse it under cool water for 30 seconds. Remove the water properly by shaking it. Let it sit for a minute so it stops dripping. Cool pasta is very important for the salad to keep fresh. It always stops the dressing from getting oily.
Chop and prep the mix-ins
While the pasta is cooking, you need to cut the veggies and shred your chicken. Chop the cucumber, slice the red onion, and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. If you are using canned corn, don't forget to drain it well. Dice or shred your cooked chicken into small pieces so every forkful feels even and balanced.
Mix the quick dressing
Take mayo, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon (if using), garlic powder, pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl and whisk them together. Taste it and add a tiny squeeze more lemon if you want to make it bright.
Toss it all together
Now, take chicken, pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, corn, onion, and feta to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and keep tossing until everything is coated. Finish with adding parsley. Taste it for one last time and adjust salt or pepper, if needed.Chill (or serve right away)
You can eat it instantly, but if you chill it for 10 minutes, the flavor will blend, and it will taste much better. This summer chicken pasta salad recipe feels richer and better after a short rest.
Notes
Calories + Nutrition (per serving, makes 2 servings)
Total calories (entire recipe): ~980 kcal
Per serving (about half): ~490 kcal
Approx nutrition per serving:
- Calories: ~490
- Protein: ~30 g
- Carbs: ~48 g
- Fat: ~20 g
- Fiber: ~4 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
- Sodium: ~650 mg (varies by chicken, feta, and salt)
More Lunch Recipes
Should You Rinse the Pasta?
This is the most common question asked when you are making a summer chicken pasta salad recipe. Here, I have tried to get a simple answer for you:
- Rinse the pasta if you want to be ready to mix it right away. This is great when you are in a hurry and have less time.
- Don’t rinse if you want the best result and you have a little extra time. Warm pasta is great for a better flavor.
Both are great; it depends totally on your wish.
Chicken Shortcuts that Make this Summer Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Easier
To keep this summer chicken pasta salad recipe fast and beginner-friendly, cooked chicken is the best move.
Easy options:
- Rotisserie chicken (fastest)
- Leftover baked or grilled chicken
- Quick pan-cooked chicken if you have an extra 10 minutes
Make sure you cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces so that every scoop gets pasta and chicken together. I think you won’t like a big chunk of chicken hiding in the bowl.
What Makes a Summer Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Taste Bright and Fresh
If you want a good result for this summer chicken pasta salad recipe, then it needs balance. To make it fresh, ‘summery’ and creamy at the same time can be a little bit tricky.
That’s why this style works so well:
- Creamy base (mayo + yogurt, or just one of them)
- Tangy pop (lemon juice or vinegar)
- Fresh crunch (cucumber, onion, corn)
- Juicy bites (cherry tomatoes)
- Salty finish (feta or mozzarella)
- Herbs (parsley or basil if you’ve got it)
Quick tip: If your salad tastes boring or flat, then a small squeeze of lemon can fix it.
How to Pull it Together (no stress, no fuss)
You literally don’t need any fancy skills to prepare this summer chicken pasta salad recipe. You simply can follow these easy steps:
- Boil pasta
- Cool it (quick rinse is fine)
- Chop the mix-ins
- Whisk the dressing
- Toss everything together
- Chill for 10 minutes if you can (it tastes even better)
One helpful trick: Take a big bowl and mix everything so that you can toss easily. Pasta salad requires space to mix better.
Make-ahead and Storage Tips
You surely can make this summer chicken pasta salad recipe ahead. Here I have got some tips for you to follow if you are doing so:
- It’s very important to store in an airtight container in the fridge
- If it feels a little dry, then stir in a spoon of yogurt, or a tiny splash of lemon juice or olive oil.
- If you want maximum crunch, keep crunchy (like cucumber) add-ins separate.
If you are taking this to a picnic, then keep it cold in a cooler until serving. It’s always better chilled.
Easy Variations (keep the same summer chicken pasta salad recipe vibe)
Here are a few simple swaps and variations for the summer chicken pasta salad recipe.
Protein swaps
- Turkey
- Tuna
- Chickpeas (for a meatless option)
Veggie swaps
- Bell pepper for extra crunch
- Spinach for a fresh green bite
- Olives for salty flavor
Flavor ideas
- “Greek-style” with extra lemon, oregano, and feta
- “Spicy” with chili flakes or a little hot sauce
- “Extra herby” with more basil and parsley
FAQ
Do I need to rinse pasta for pasta salad?
Yes, rinsing cools your pasta fast and stop them being overcooked. It’s great for cold pasta salad.
What pasta shape works best for pasta salad?
Short and twisty shapes work best for this pasta salad. I personally prefer rotini.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken. Just chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces to make it balanced with the recipe.
How long does chicken pasta salad last in the fridge?
When you store it cold in an airtight container, you can enjoy it for 3-5 days, depending on the ingredients. I recommend eating within the first 4 days.
Can I make pasta salad the night before?
Yes, I actually did that once. But be aware of one thing: the pasta soaks up dressing, so save a little dressing to stir in before serving to make it creamy.
How do I keep pasta salad from drying out?
Keep a spoonful of dressing aside and mix it in after chilling. You can also add a small splash of olive oil and lemon juice to make sure it’s not drying out.
Can I freeze chicken pasta salad?
No, it’s not suggested to freeze. The taste and texture turn weird after freezing for a long time. It’s much better eaten fresh from the fridge.
How long can pasta salad sit out at a party?
Follow the USDA 2-hour rule (or 1 hour if it’s very hot). After that, it should go back in the fridge.
If you want a fast and fresh summer meal for lunch, then this summer chicken pasta salad recipe is a great option for you to try. It’s a creamy, crunchy meal that is perfect for busy days and warm nights. Let us know in the Daily Life Recipe how it tastes when you tried.
About the photos: The images in this post are AI-generated illustrations created to help visualize the recipe.