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An overhead shot of the healthy pasta salad in a large white serving bowl, showing all the colorful ingredients like tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil.

High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad (Easy & Delicious)

Fuel your day with this High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad! Packed with chicken, salami, and chickpeas, this easy and flavorful recipe is perfect for meal prep and ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 2 cups cooked and diced chicken breast
  • 4 oz Genoa salami diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • 8 oz mozzarella pearls
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  2. While the pasta cooks, dice your grilled chicken and salami. Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Whisk or shake vigorously until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, salami, chickpeas, mozzarella pearls, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Stir in the fresh basil. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Tip 1: For the best flavor, let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the pasta to absorb the dressing.
Tip 2: Don't be afraid to add other veggies! Chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, or artichoke hearts would all be delicious additions.
Tip 3: If the salad seems dry after storing, refresh it with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.