Description
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad is everything you want in a meal: rich, creamy, packed with protein, and bursting with vibrant, fresh flavors. Whether you need a quick dinner, healthy lunch idea, or something to wow at a gathering, this dish delivers. It blends cheese tortellini, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious garlic-Parmesan dressing into a crave-worthy salad that’s perfect warm or cold. If you’re looking for easy dinner recipes, crowd-pleasing lunch options, or summer food ideas, this pasta salad should be at the top of your list!
Ingredients
1 pound cheese tortellini
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. While pasta cooks, shred the chicken and chop the vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and roughly chop spinach if needed.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to form the creamy dressing.
4. Add tortellini, shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach into the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
5. Fold in the Parmesan cheese and give it a final toss.
6. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
7. Optional: Top with extra black pepper, grated Parmesan, or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
Fresh tortellini provides the best texture, but refrigerated works well too.
If the pasta salad seems dry after chilling, stir in 1 tablespoon of mayo or yogurt to refresh it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: easy recipe, chicken pasta salad, creamy tortellini salad, lunch ideas, dinner ideas