Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

This Italian Chicken Pasta Salad has an Italian flair, featuring penne pasta, chicken, olives, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, Italian dressing, and Parmesan shavings. This side dish is a perfect addition to any potluck and is substantial enough to serve as a meal.

This post was originally published in March 2015 and was updated with additional content and new images on April 20, 2025.

Hello there! It looks as if spring is going to arrive after all. The snow has finally started to melt, so we are progressing. And with the time change this weekend, I can still see a glimmer of lights at 7:00 PM. Hooray!! Unfortunately, we have not weathered this winter without some casualties. Our next door neighbor has been hospitalized for over two weeks after he fell off the ladder while cutting down a large tree branch with my husband and our son. He suffered major injuries on his legs and has a broken thumb, and will undergo a second surgery this week. His prognosis is good, thank goodness, but he has a long road to recovery. 

On a less dramatic front, both my husband and I have wiped out on ice in our yard, and our kids have had near misses driving on icy roads. We are hoping the worst is over and are SOOOOO READY for spring!

I am sharing my easy go-to pasta salad with you today. It has an Italian flare with penne pasta, chicken, olives, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, Italian dressing, and Parmesan shavings. This dish assembles quickly, thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken and salad dressing.

Recipe highlights:

• Cook the pasta following the package directions, then drain and rinse it under cold water. Allow it to drip dry for a few minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine the pasta with all the remaining ingredients. Mix to combine thoroughly. 
• You can serve immediately, but it’s best to allow the flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes.
• Refer to the recipe card for detailed instructions.

Can be made ahead:

Although this pasta salad is relatively quick and easy to make (in about 30 minutes), you can absolutely prepare it a day in advance. For the best results, wait until you’re ready to serve to chop and add the basil to keep the herb looking green and fresh.

Additionally, reserve some of the salad dressing to add just before serving. This helps to reconstitute the pasta salad and keep it looking glossy and scrumptious.

Since this pasta side dish can be prepared in advance, it’s an excellent go-to pasta recipe to have handy. It’s always been a hit whenever I serve it at a gathering or potluck!

What to serve with it:

Although this pasta salad can be a light meal on its own, it’s an ideal side dish for many main dishes. Here are some that make a fantastic pairing:

• Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks
• Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
• Baked Ham
• Fried Chicken Tenders
• Smash Burgers
• Slow Roasted BBQ Pork

How to store:

Store the pasta salad in a refrigerated, airtight container for up to four days. If the pasta appears dry after storing, add more Italian dressing if you have some available.

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

• Large pot with lid—I have this pot. It’s 6-quart and the perfect size for boiling pasta. It has a nonstick ceramic coating.
• Colander—I have and love this colander. It’s large with expandable handles to rest the colander over the sink, and I don’t have to worry about backwash coming in contact with the food.
• Silicone spatula—to mix the pasta salad. This is 14 inches long and is heat resistant up to 600° F.

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Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Author: In Good Flavor Cooking Method:Mixing Cuisine:American Italian Courses:Sides

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 18 minutesCook time: 12 minutesTotal time: 30 minutesServings:6 Servings

Description

This Italian Chicken Pasta Salad has an Italian flair. It features penne pasta, chicken, olives, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, Italian dressing, and Parmesan shavings. This side dish is a perfect addition to any potluck and is substantial enough to serve as a meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (16 oz.) pene pasta
• 3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
• 1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained, patted dried, and diced
• 1 can (Dry Weight 6 oz.) slice black olives, drained and patted dry
• 1 tub (8 oz.) mozzarella pearls, drained
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup hand-torn or julienned basil
• 1 cup (or 4 oz.) freshly shaved parmesan cheese
• 1/4 generous teaspoon salt
• 1/4 generous teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bottle (16 oz.) Italian salad dressing

Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions. Rinse it under cold water and drain thoroughly. Let it drain for a few minutes before transferring it to a large mixing bowl.
2. Prepare the remaining ingredients (drain, pat dry, or chop as needed) while the water is boiling and the pasta is cooking.
3. Combine all ingredients with the pasta and mix well. Reseason to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld together. A minimum of 30 minutes is recommended.
4. Makes 6 to 8 sides or 4 main dishes.

Note:

• If you don’t plan to serve the pasta salad until the next day, reserve and refrigerate half a cup of Italian seasoning. Mix it into the pasta salad when you’re ready to serve. The pasta absorbs a lot while stored for an extended period, which helps restore moisture.

Keywords:Pasta Salad, Italian, Pasta Side Dish, Pasta Recipe, Chicken Pasta Salad

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