All Recipes - Chicken Pasta Salad

Chicken Pasta Salad

Name: Chicken Pasta Salad
Yield: 5
Ingredients: 10 oz pasta, whole wheat or chickpea; 2 cups cooked chicken cubed; 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved; 1 cucumber diced; 0.5 red onion finely chopped, optional; 2 cups spinach; 0.5 cup feta, reduced-fat or fat-free; 0.25 cup olives; 6 tbsp olive oil; 4 tbsp red wine vinegar; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 0.25 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp dried oregano; 0.25 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp pepper

This Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead meal for warm days when you want something satisfying, refreshing, and brain-healthy. Packed with lean protein, colorful vegetables, and whole-grain pasta, it’s a balanced dish that fits beautifully into the MIND diet.

Servings: 5

Ingredients

10 oz pasta, whole wheat or chickpea
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, finely chopped, optional
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup feta, reduced-fat or fat-free
1/4 cup olives

Dressing

6 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

If you need to cook the chicken, one option is to simmer it on the stove, covered, in a few inches of water. Then remove and cube. Don't drain the water. Just add additional water to bring to a boil for the pasta.
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, greens, and any extras like olives.
Toss with dressing until well coated.
Top with cheese, toss again lightly, and chill for at least 20 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Published: Jun 18, 2025