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Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Bliss

This Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is a bright celebration of flavors, ready in just 25 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Refrigeration Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta gluten-free rotini works perfectly here too
  • 2 cups Cooked Chicken (diced) grilled, roasted, or any chicken you love
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved) any small tomato variety can be substituted
  • 1 cup Cucumber (diced) bell peppers or other crisp veggies are great alternatives
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion (thinly sliced) swap for green onions if you prefer mildness
  • 1/2 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled) can be replaced with goat cheese or omitted for dairy-free
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (chopped) parsley can stand in for basil if needed
For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil or use Greek yogurt for creaminess
  • 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can serve as substitutes
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard feel free to omit if mustard isn't your thing
  • 1 tbsp Honey substitute with agave nectar or maple syrup for a vegan option
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Colander
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with diced cooked chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh basil. Gently toss together until evenly distributed.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well-blended and emulsified.
  4. Drizzle the prepared balsamic vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss to coat everything without breaking the pasta or feta.
  5. Cover with cling film or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad can be prepared a day ahead for gatherings. Add the dressing right before serving to keep freshness.

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