Description
A refreshing and hearty Chicken Broccoli Pasta Salad combining tender chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and cooked pasta tossed in a creamy tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh parsley, this salad is a quick, flavorful meal great for lunch or a light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 3 cups broccoli florets, steamed
- 2 cups cooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the diced cooked chicken, steamed broccoli florets, cooked pasta, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese thoroughly to prepare the base of the salad.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and well blended.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients, then toss everything gently but thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to become nicely chilled.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top as garnish and serve the salad cold for best taste and freshness.
Notes
- For best texture, steam broccoli until just tender but still crisp to retain nutrients and color.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead, making it ideal for meal prep or potlucks.
- Use rotini or penne pasta as they hold dressing well, but any short pasta shape works.
- To reduce fat, substitute mayonnaise with more Greek yogurt or use a light mayonnaise variant.
- Feel free to add nuts like slivered almonds or sunflower seeds for extra crunch.
