Nani's Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Name: Nani's Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 ounces rotini pasta; 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup cucumber, diced; 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped; 1/2 cup black olives, sliced; 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced; 1 cup Italian salad dressing; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

This fresh pasta salad is packed with crisp vegetables and savory chicken for a filling meal that everyone enjoys.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

10 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a big bowl of pasta salad to brighten up a summer lunch or a backyard dinner. This recipe is a favorite in my kitchen because it hits the spot with crunchy veggies and a tangy dressing that brings all the flavors together.

My secret for the best results is to toss the pasta with a little bit of the dressing while it is still warm. It helps the noodles soak up all that delicious seasoning before you add the cold ingredients.

🧺 Ingredients

16 ounces rotini pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
1 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente.
2
Drain the pasta and rinse it briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process.
3
Place the cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl and toss it with half of the Italian dressing.
4
Add the chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and bell pepper to the bowl.
5
Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well combined.
6
Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top before serving.
7
Cover and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes if you prefer to serve your salad chilled.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If the pasta seems a little dry after being in the fridge, just add a splash of extra dressing and toss it well before eating.

#pasta #chicken #lunch #easy dinner #salad

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