Tasty Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Growing up, pasta salad at our house meant one thing – cold noodles mixed with Italian dressing from a bottle. That’s just how mom made it, and we never questioned it. My husband still teases me about the first pasta salad I made for him when we were dating.

But then I discovered how adding grilled chicken and a few fresh ingredients could turn a basic pasta salad into something special. No bottle of dressing needed – just some olive oil, herbs, and a quick marinade for the chicken. Now it’s my go-to dish for summer cookouts, and even my kids ask for seconds.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

The best pasta shapes for this salad are ones with lots of nooks and crannies to catch all that tasty dressing. Spiral pasta (like rotini or fusilli) is perfect because its twists hold onto the olive oil and herbs, but other medium-sized shapes like penne, bow ties, or even shells work great too. If you’re making this ahead of time, consider cooking the pasta just a minute shy of al dente since it will continue to soften slightly as it sits in the dressing. Just make sure to avoid long, thin pasta like spaghetti or linguine – they’re trickier to eat in a salad and don’t grab the dressing as well as shorter shapes.

Options for Substitutions

This pasta salad is pretty adaptable and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Chicken breasts: You can easily swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs, or make it vegetarian by using grilled zucchini or eggplant. Canned tuna or grilled shrimp work great too!
• Balsamic vinegar: Red wine vinegar makes a good substitute, or try apple cider vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of honey for a similar sweet-tangy taste.
• Fresh mozzarella balls: Regular cubed mozzarella works fine, or try other cheeses like cubed provolone, feta, or even small chunks of gouda. If you’re dairy-free, just leave it out.
• Spiral pasta: Any short pasta shape works here – bowties, shells, or rotini all hold the dressing well. For a healthier option, try whole wheat pasta or chickpea pasta.
• Fresh basil: While fresh basil gives the best flavor, you can use dried basil in a pinch (use about 2-3 tablespoons). Fresh parsley or a mix of Italian herbs can work too.
• Cherry tomatoes: Regular chopped tomatoes work just as well. In winter, you might want to try sun-dried tomatoes (use about 1 cup, chopped) for more intense flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest challenge when making grilled chicken pasta salad is ending up with dry, rubbery chicken – to prevent this, marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes (but no longer than 4 hours, as the vinegar can start breaking down the meat). Another common mistake is serving the pasta salad immediately after mixing hot pasta with cold ingredients, which can make the mozzarella balls melt and turn your fresh basil brown – instead, let your pasta cool completely before combining with other ingredients. To keep your pasta from clumping together, toss it with a small amount of olive oil right after draining, and don’t rinse it with cold water as this removes the starches that help the dressing stick to the pasta. For the best flavor development, try making this salad at least an hour before serving, allowing time for all the ingredients to mingle and the flavors to fully develop.

What to Serve With Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad?

Since this pasta salad already works as a complete meal with protein, carbs, and fresh veggies, you’ll want to keep the sides simple and complementary. A warm, crusty loaf of garlic bread or focaccia makes a perfect partner – plus you can use it to soak up any extra dressing from your plate! For some extra greens, try serving a simple arugula salad dressed with just lemon juice and olive oil, or some roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers that echo the Mediterranean flavors in the pasta salad. If you’re serving this at a summer gathering, it pairs really well with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light, refreshing homemade lemonade.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This grilled chicken pasta salad is perfect for meal prep! Pop it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay good for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better as they hang out together, making it even tastier the next day.

Make Ahead: Want to prep this in advance? Cook the pasta and chicken, then store them separately from the cut tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Keep the dressing in a separate container too. When you’re ready to eat, just toss everything together! This way, your ingredients stay fresh and the pasta doesn’t soak up all the dressing.

Pack for Lunch: This pasta salad is great for packed lunches. Just portion it into individual containers and grab one when you head out. No need to heat it up – it’s meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, which makes it super convenient for picnics or office lunches.

Preparation Time	30-60 minutes
Cooking Time	30-40 minutes
Total Time	60-100 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2300-2500
• Protein: 125-135 g
• Fat: 200-220 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

For the chicken marinade:

• kosher salt
• 4 garlic cloves (minced for best flavor)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• black pepper
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

For the chicken and pasta:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
• 1 lb spiral pasta (like Cellentani or Fusilli)

For the salad assembly:

• 2/3 cup fresh basil leaves (thinly sliced or roughly chopped)
• 12-16 oz grape or cherry tomatoes (halved for easier eating)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (pearl-sized, drained)

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken

Start by prepping the chicken, which can be done a day or two in advance.

Place your chicken into a baking dish or a resealable bag.

In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to create a flavorful marinade.

Measure out about ¼ cup of this dressing and pour it over the chicken, ensuring it is well-coated.

Reserve the rest of the marinade as it will be used later as your pasta salad dressing.

Seal the container or bag and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Grill the Chicken

When you’re ready to cook the chicken, preheat your grill to its highest setting.

Once it’s hot, remove the chicken from the marinade (allow excess marinade to drip off) and place it on the grill.

Grill each side for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes to lock in the juices, then cut it into bite-sized chunks.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

While the chicken is grilling, cook your pasta according to package instructions, or you can prepare it the day before and store it in the fridge.

This helps save time when you’re ready to assemble the salad.

Drain the pasta and let it cool, or rinse with cold water if assembling immediately.

Step 4: Prepare Additional Ingredients

While waiting, chop your fresh tomatoes and basil.

Set these aside until you’re ready to assemble the pasta salad.

Fresh ingredients will add vibrant color and flavor to your dish.

Step 5: Assemble the Pasta Salad

It’s time to bring everything together.

You can either layer or toss the salad, depending on your preference.

If layering, start with a base of pasta, then add chunks of chicken, followed by tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.

Repeat the layers until you’ve used all the ingredients.

Alternatively, you can toss all the components together in a large bowl for a more integrated dish.

Step 6: Dress and Serve

Once your pasta salad is assembled, drizzle it with the reserved dressing.

Toss lightly to ensure everything is coated.

Serve the salad immediately or store it in the fridge until ready to eat.

If preparing in advance, wait to add the fresh basil until just before serving to maintain its bright color and flavor.

Enjoy this delicious and hearty salad as a main course or a perfect side dish!