This Easy Tomato & Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing simple dinner. It's filled with fresh spinach and tomatoes, seasoned chicken, pasta, and Parmesan cheese. This flavorful salad is great for warm weather gatherings!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Pasta Salad
Servings: 4
Calories: 517kcal
Author: Garnish and Glaze
Ingredients
1poundchicken breast*
salt & pepper, to taste
8ouncesdry pasta
2cupsgrape tomatoes, halved
4ouncesbaby spinach
1/3cupParmesan cheese, grated
For the Dressing:
1/4cupextra light extra virgin olive oil
2tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
1teaspoonDijon mustard
1/2tablespoondried basil
1/2tablespoondried oregano
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
1/2teaspoonfine table salt, or more to taste
fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
Boiling salted water and cook pasta al dente according to the package. Once done, drain, and then pour into a bowl of ice water to cool it down quickly. Drain off the water and place in a large mixing bowl.
While the pasta boils, cook the chicken. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook on a medium-high grill or skillet on both sides until center is 165 degrees F. (About 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.) Let cool and then slice.
Assemble by placing pasta, chicken, tomatoes, and spinach** together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top. Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese, toss, and serve.
For the Dressing:
In a jar or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Notes
*You can substitute with leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or buy precooked grilled chicken.**If you do not plan to eat the pasta right away, add everything to the bowl EXCEPT the dressing or the spinach. Once the spinach gets wet it will wilt quickly so either keep the dressing in a jar or the spinach in a bag.