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ThisCold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad is the perfect easy cold meal prep idea or a dish for a potluck!
![Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad (1) Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad (1)](https://i0.wp.com/carmyy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chicken-pasta-salad.jpg)
No Heat Meal Prep
At work, we have a microwave that cannot be on while the toaster oven is on. Usually, I don’t really care about waiting those few extra minutes, but sometimes I am HUN.GR.Y., so those extra minutes are precious!
Plus, with the potluck work parties, I don’t want to waste time waiting for a microwave to free up and making sure the entire pasta dish is heated all the way through for the party. So here I am, with a delicious solution!
This cold chicken spinach pasta salad is so easy to make, plus it’s a great base for a variety of pasta salads. The chicken can be swapped out with chickpeas to make this pasta salad vegetarian, and other vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, etc can be added to the pasta salad to change it up!
Related: Want more delicious cold lunch recipes ideas from the blog? Try this Peach Quinoa Salad, Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas, and Mango Chili Lime Chicken Meal Prep!
![Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad (2) Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad (2)](https://i0.wp.com/carmyy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chicken-pasta-salad-2.jpg)
What You’ll Need to Make This Chicken Pasta Salad Meal Prep
- pasta — feel free to use your favourite pasta shape. I personally love bow-ties for this pasta salad as it looks adorable.
- shredded chicken — take your pick on how to make your chicken. The Instant Pot method is easiest for me. You can even just shred some chicken from a store-bought rotisserie chicken and save the bones for homemade chicken stock.
- spinach — I personally prefer baby spinach for this pasta salad.
- my homemade creamy roasted garlic dressing (or dressing of your choice)
- optional: chili flakes to top for a little extra heat.
Tips for making this pasta salad perfectly
- Pasta, if tossed in dressing when warm, will soak up all the dressing and become dry and gummy. To avoid this, shock the pasta once it’s done cooking in ice water to get it cold fast (and avoid the pasta from sticking together while you wait for it to cool).
- Pasta salad get better with time! After mixing the pasta salad, chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Not a fan of spinach? Swap for some cooked broccoli, kale, or another green veggie of your choice.
How To Make This Pasta Salad
- Following the direction on your box of pasta, cook pasta until al dente.
- Cook your chicken breasts in your method of choice and shred it before setting it aside.
- Once your pasta is almost done, prep a bowl of ice water to shock your pasta.
- In a large bowl, toss together your spinach, shredded chicken, pasta, with creamy roasted garlic dressing (or a dressing of your choice).
- Let chill before serving.
![Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad (3) Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad (3)](https://i0.wp.com/carmyy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chicken-pasta-salad-4.jpg)
Make Ahead Tips
- Meal prep: store the salads inan airtight container in the fridge. Prepped salad will last for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the cooked chicken so you can quickly whip up this pasta salad whenever you’re craving it. Cook extra and allow the chicken and bacon to cool before transferring intoan airtight containerand storing them in the freezer.
Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
ThisCold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad is the perfect easy cold meal prep idea or a dish for a potluck!
5 from 34 votes
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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 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
Following the direction on your box of pasta, cook pasta until al dente.
Cook your chicken breasts in your method of choice and shred it before setting it aside.
Once your pasta is almost done, prep a bowl of ice water to shock your pasta.
In a large bowl, toss together your spinach, shredded chicken, pasta, with creamy roasted garlic dressing (or a dressing of your choice).
Let chill before serving.
Tried this recipe?Did you make this recipe? I’m always so happy to hear about it! I’d love to see how it turned out. Tag me at @CarmysHungry on Instagram so I can see it! If you enjoyed the recipe, I’d really appreciate a comment with a 5 star rating! ♥
Author: Carmy
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Meal Prep
Nutrition Disclaimer
More Salad Recipes to Try
- Quinoa Chicken Spinach Nergi Bowl
- Chicken Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Honey Garlic Sriracha Chicken
- BLT Salad with Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberries
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Chicken Cobb Salad (Meal Prep)
- Chopped Chicken Salad
- Healthy Chicken Mason Jar Salad
Other places to connect with me
Instagram:@carmyshungry
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/carmyycom
Email:[emailprotected]
Reader Interactions
Comments
Mindy
This was so good. Love the roasted garlic sauce!Reply
Lori
Where can I buy roasted garlic sauce
Reply
Carmy
Hi! I make my own :) link: https://carmyy.com/homemade-creamy-roasted-garlic-dressing/
Reply
Belinda Taylor
Super easy and quick. Both great benefits. I added a few extra items ( that’s just the way I flow). Sliced Strawberries, Blueberries and feta cheese were my choices.
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Gloria
This looks like a delicious salad. The perfect way to start healthy eating for the New Year. I love combining pasta with tuna. I could eat this for lunch or dinner a couple of times a week.Reply
Debra
Great tips on cooking the pasta. I will definitely try the ice bath because mine always comes out gummy! I agree, this is awesome for a potluck so you don’t have to wait for space in the oven…and it definitely helps the hostess out too!Reply
Marisa Franca
What a great looking salad. This would be a wonderful lunch or a light dinner. I bet it even packs nicely for a picnic. I love the addition of the hot pepper flakes. Very tasty but easy to make. An ideal recipe.Reply
Annemarie
I love cold pasta dishes. They are perfect for picnics, lunches, and summer dinners. And this recipe would be great for leftover chicken which makes it even better! (Cook once, eat twice. :) )Reply
AMBER
So easy and so delicious!! A new favorite meal!Reply
Carmy
Woohoo! So happy to hear that you enjoyed! :)
Reply
Anne Lawton
This is a great ! A full meal all in one bowl and I love that it’s portable too!Reply
Maggie
Oh my word! I need this Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad in my life. I have to rethink dinner tonight. lol.Reply
Kallie
Could you use a Rotisserie Chicken for the shredded chicken?
Reply
Carmy
Yup! This pairs well if you have leftover chicken and want to make it into a “new” meal :)
Reply
Julie
I looooove pasta salad – it’s my favorite summer dish. This looks like the perfect way to make it a main dish by adding a protein and some veggies. So good!Reply
Alisha Rodrigues
Pasta salads are always a favorite…. This looks so good with all the healthy ingredients and simple flavorsReply
Ana F.
This salad was delicious! So easy to make and healthy too. Love the sauce! Thanks for the recipeReply
Carmy
Woohoo! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the lovely comment!
Reply
jenni lebaron
I love the idea of no heat meal prep. I think the idea of adding this creamy roasted garlic dressing to the mix too. Delicious through and through!Reply
Daniela
What a deliciously fab pasta salad!!! Perfect for these warm summer months. Thanks so much for sharing!Reply
Kylee Ayotte
That roasted garlic sauce really took this to another level. My family and I loved this!Reply
Lorie
Carmy—this is the best, so simple but seriously a great way to get away from the same old, same old, which is the issue I seem to have.Reply
Jagruti Dhanecha
The highlight of this pasta is roasted garlic sauce, my daughter loves pasta and always look out for an easy yet tasty recipe, sharing with her now.Reply
Natalie
This is great idea and the recipe. I always have chicken leftovers from Sunday dinner and don’t know how to use it. Now I have a idea. This goes on my to try list asap. Loos fantastic!Reply
Hayley
I had leftover barbecue chicken and used it in this pasta! I made the garlic dressing, and it’s literally to die for. My husband said he’d eat it on ANYTHING. So excited for my lunches this week! Thank you for this amazing recipe!Reply
Carmy
I am so glad this was a hit! Enjoy :)
Reply
Hannah
Anyone know the nutritional facts on this?
Reply
Carmy
Hey Hannah,
I have an estimate of the nutritional data for the dressing here: https://carmyy.com/homemade-creamy-roasted-garlic-dressing/. Unfortunately I don’t have the data for this recipe on its own it depends on how much/what type of pasta you use and how much dressing you prefer to add. Hope this helps :)
Reply
Brandi
I am wondering if I make this ahead of time for lunches, will the spinach get soggy? There is nothing I hate more than soggy/slimy spinach. This looks delicious though and I can’t wait to try it!
Reply
Carmy
It doesn’t feel soggy to me! However, if you’re considered, you can sub it for broccoli or something sturdier!
Reply
Debra
Great recipe, my family would rather have Cesar dressing and it worked amazingly.
We also added bacon, Delicious!Reply
Carmy
Bacon sounds like such a delicious addition to this pasta! Thanks for leaving a rating :)
Reply
Gloria
I am so looking forward to summer salads….and the end of this season. I will be celebrating with a huge BBQ. This is a great salad for the mix.Reply
Donn
I love how versatile this recipe is, we used some leftover rotisserie chicken and a half can of leftover chickpeas (because why not), and it was just perfect in its simplicity!Reply
george
Is the 5 oz of spinach er container or total ounces needed for all 5 containers.
Reply
Carmy
Total, but you’re welcomed to add as much as you’d like!
Reply
Amanda
I’m a college student trying to try new recipes and this has become one of my favorite lunches! I find myself coming back to this pin constantly (I should probably print it out at this point).
Reply
Carmy
I’m so happy that this has become a favourite!! Thank you for sharing :)
Reply
LC
I made the recipe but added red and orange peppers and tri colored rotini. I did not have time to refrigerate and used cold rotisserie chicken. My husband used bottled Ranch and I used Skinnygirl Honey Dijon and will make this recipe again.Reply
Carmy
Thank you for the 5 stars LC! :)
Reply
Dorothysasseville
This was delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.
Reply
Carmy
Happy you enjoyed!
Reply
5 from 34 votes (12 ratings without comment)