Zesty Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer Picnics

Whipping up a delightful chicken broccoli pasta salad brings comfort and excitement to your midweek meal planning.

Fresh ingredients dance together in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Crisp broccoli florets add vibrant green crunch against tender chicken pieces.

Perfectly cooked pasta creates a satisfying base for this light yet filling dish.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings weave through each delectable bite, promising a memorable dining experience.

Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe offers a quick solution for busy home cooks seeking nutritious and delicious meals.

You’ll find yourself returning to this crowd-pleasing combination that makes healthy eating a true pleasure.

Why Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad Is So Refreshing

• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fiber-rich broccoli, this pasta salad delivers a balanced meal that keeps you satisfied and supports healthy eating goals.
• Conquer Meal Prep Challenges: Prepare this versatile dish in advance, storing it in the refrigerator for quick grab-and-go lunches or spontaneous gatherings with minimal last-minute effort.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust seasonings to match personal preferences, making this recipe incredibly flexible for different tastes and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Designed to impress both adults and kids with its creamy texture, vibrant colors, and delightful blend of flavors that appeal to multiple palates.

Everything That Goes Into Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad

• Pasta Shells: A starchy base that provides texture and substance to the salad.
• Chicken Breast: A lean protein that adds hearty flavor and nutritional value.
• Broccoli Florets: A fresh, green vegetable that brings crunch and nutritional benefits.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base that creates a rich and smooth dressing texture.
• White Vinegar, Dijon Mustard: Tangy ingredients that add depth and brightness to the dressing.
• Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Fresh Dill: An aromatic herb that provides a light, fresh note to the salad.

• Red Onion, Green Onions: Crisp vegetables that add sharp flavor and visual interest to the salad.

How To Make Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad Quickly

Step 1: Boil Pasta Shells

Cook pasta shells in salted water until they reach al dente perfection. The shells should be tender but still have a slight bite. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down quickly.

Step 2: Steam Vibrant Broccoli

Steam broccoli florets until they turn a brilliant green and become crisp-tender. Quickly transfer the steamed broccoli to an ice bath to lock in the bright color and prevent overcooking.

Step 3: Prep Chicken Pieces

Cut cooked chicken breast into neat, bite-sized cubes. This ensures each forkful has a consistent and enjoyable texture throughout the salad.

Step 4: Chop Aromatic Onions

Finely dice red onion and green onions. These will add a delightful crunch and sharp flavor to the salad.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• White vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 6: Enhance with Fresh Herbs

Sprinkle chopped fresh dill into the dressing. Stir thoroughly to distribute the herbal notes evenly.

Step 7: Combine Salad Components

Gently mix the cooled pasta, chicken, broccoli, red onion, and green onions in the bowl with the prepared dressing.

Step 8: Fold and Coat

Carefully fold all ingredients together, ensuring each morsel gets a luxurious coating of the creamy dressing.

Step 9: Chill and Develop Flavors

Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and develop a more complex taste profile.

Step 10: Final Taste Adjustment

Do a quick taste test before serving. Add extra salt, pepper, or dill if needed to perfect the flavor balance.

Tips To Get Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad Just Right

• Prevent Soggy Pasta: Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after boiling to stop cooking and maintain perfect al dente texture.
• Preserve Broccoli's Brightness: Shock steamed broccoli in ice water to lock in vibrant green color and crisp-tender crunch.
• Balance Flavor Layers: Finely chop onions to distribute aromatic depth evenly throughout the salad without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Master Creamy Dressing: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated sauce that coats every pasta shell perfectly.
• Enhance Taste Development: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to mingle and intensify for a more delicious result.

Tasty Twists For Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace dill with fresh oregano, basil, and parsley. Add crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace white vinegar with lime juice, and sprinkle with chili powder. Add black beans and corn for extra southwestern flavor.
• Protein Power Boost: Substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or hard-boiled eggs. Incorporate toasted pine nuts and increase protein content with quinoa instead of pasta shells.
• Asian-Inspired Crunch: Swap mayonnaise with sesame-soy dressing, add mandarin orange segments, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced almonds for an east-meets-west combination.

What Pairs Well With Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad

• Select a Crisp White Wine: Opt for a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that cuts through the creamy dressing and complements the herb notes, offering a light, zesty contrast to the rich salad.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Pair with a rustic sourdough or rosemary focaccia to provide a crunchy texture that balances the salad's creamy consistency and helps soak up the delicious dressing.
• Enhance with Chilled Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to add freshness and provide a palate-cleansing element that brightens the overall meal experience.

Keep Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad Cool And Crisp

• Transfer the chicken broccoli pasta salad to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Consume the salad within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety, keeping it consistently chilled at or below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid freezing this salad as the mayonnaise-based dressing will separate and become watery, compromising the texture and quality of the dish.
• Always use clean utensils when scooping out portions and return the salad to the refrigerator promptly after serving to keep it cool and fresh.

FAQs On Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad

• Why steam broccoli instead of boiling?

Steaming preserves more nutrients, maintains vibrant green color, and prevents soggy texture compared to boiling, which can make broccoli mushy and less flavorful.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Fresh cooked chicken works best for optimal taste and texture. If using frozen chicken, thaw completely and ensure it’s fully cooked before adding to the salad.

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming too soft?

Cook pasta al dente and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps maintain the perfect pasta texture in the salad.

• Is there a way to make this salad healthier?

Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, use less dressing, or add more vegetables like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers to increase nutritional value.

Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 59 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Tantalizing Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad delights with creamy dressing and zesty herbs. Crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a refreshing meal you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

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Pasta and Protein:

• 2 cups pasta shells
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast

Vegetables:

• 1.5 cups broccoli florets
• 0.5 cup red onion
• 0.25 cup green onions

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)

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Instructions

1. Boil pasta shells in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and cool pasta quickly.
2. Steam broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Immediately transfer to ice water to preserve vibrant color and prevent overcooking.
3. Dice cooked chicken breast into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
4. Finely chop red onion and green onions, creating a balanced aromatic base for the salad.
5. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
6. Add chopped fresh dill to the dressing, stirring to distribute herbs evenly and enhance overall flavor profile.
7. Combine cooled pasta, chicken, broccoli, red onion, and green onions in the bowl with prepared dressing.
8. Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring each component is evenly coated with creamy dressing.
9. Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop depth.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding extra salt, pepper, or dill just before serving.

Notes

• Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary needs and boost nutritional value.
• Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust dressing consistency if the salad seems too dry after chilling.
• Quickly blanch broccoli to maintain its bright green color and crisp texture, preventing mushy vegetables.
• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that reduces overall calorie content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 368
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 564 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg