Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
A refreshing and easy pasta salad with tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a creamy roasted garlic dressing, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook (assembly)
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, shredded
- 5 ounces spinach
- 3-4 tbsp creamy roasted garlic dressing, or dressing of your choice
- optional: chili flakes to top
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, following the directions on your box of pasta.
- Cook your chicken breasts using your method of choice.
- Shred the cooked chicken breasts and set aside.
- Fill a bowl with ice water.
- Once your pasta is almost done, drain it and immediately transfer it to the bowl of ice water to shock it.
- In a large bowl, combine your spinach, shredded chicken, and the cooled pasta.
- Toss everything together with 3-4 tablespoons of creamy roasted garlic dressing (or your chosen dressing).
- If desired, sprinkle with chili flakes to top.
- Let the salad chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Any short pasta shape will work well, like rotini or penne.
Use a good quality creamy dressing for the best results.
Leftover rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe.
Find it online: https://familiesrecipes.com/cold-chicken-spinach-pasta-salad/