This creamy and satisfying pasta salad brings together succulent shredded chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a rich dressing that strikes the perfect balance of flavour and comfort. Designed as a big-batch recipe, it’s perfect for sharing, meal prepping, or enjoying over several days.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Loaded with tender cooked chicken, crisp vegetables, and shredded cheese for texture and depth.
• The dressing uses a 50/50 mix of mayonnaise and sour cream, giving creamy richness without being overly oily.
• It’s perfect for room-temperature serving—ideal for lunches, potlucks, or quick dinners.
• Makes a generous quantity (10-12 servings), so you’ll have leftovers ready to go.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 500 g (1 lb) macaroni or elbow pasta (or other short pasta shape)
• 1 tbsp salt (for cooking the pasta)
  Pasta Salad:
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely sliced
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), finely diced
• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• 2 medium carrots, shredded using a box grater
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, tasty or Colby style)
• 2 medium-small avocados, cut into bite-size pieces (optional)
  Dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise (whole-egg mayonnaise is best)
• 1 cup sour cream (full-fat preferred, low-fat OK)
• 3 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 4 tsp sugar
• 1½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Directions

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water with the 1 tbsp salt. Follow the packet directions, then drain well and allow to cool.
2. Meanwhile, mix all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside for at least 10 minutes to allow flavours to meld.
3. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the cooked chicken, sliced celery, diced capsicum, sliced green onions, shredded carrots, shredded cheese, and avocado (if using).
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
5. Allow the salad to sit for about 20 minutes before transferring to a serving bowl. Serve at room temperature for best flavour.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 10-12 portions
• Prep time: ~20 minutes
• Cook time: ~10 minutes (for pasta)
• Total time: ~30 minutes plus a 20-minute rest before serving

Variations

• Vegetarian friendly: Replace the chicken with chickpeas or grilled tofu for a hearty, meat-free version.
• Dairy-light: Reduce the cheese or use a lighter variety, and swap sour cream for plain Greek yogurt.
• Extra veg: Add diced cucumber, chopped red onion, or sweet corn for more crunch and colour.
• Spice it up: Stir in a little smoked paprika or chilli flakes into the dressing for a subtle kick.
• Different pasta shapes: Use penne, bow-ties (farfalle), or spirals if you prefer over macaroni.

Storage/Reheating

Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
When ready to serve, remove from the fridge at least 30 minutes ahead so it comes to room temperature—this ensures the pasta is not stiff and the dressing retains its creamy texture. Avoid freezing this salad as the texture of the ingredients will deteriorate.

FAQs

1. Can I use grilled chicken instead of shredded cooked chicken?

Yes. Grilled or poached chicken both work well—just shred or finely chop so it blends evenly with the pasta.

2. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely. Diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or corn make great additions for freshness and crunch.

3. Is the avocado really optional?

Yes, avocado is optional. It adds creaminess and richness, but you can skip it if preferred.

4. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes—make it ahead, chill it, then bring to room temperature before serving. It actually develops more flavour over time.

5. Can I use a different pasta shape?

Of course. Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, bow ties, or spirals work equally well.

6. What if I don’t have sour cream?

You can substitute an equal amount of full-fat plain Greek yogurt; expect a slightly tangier flavour.

7. Should I serve this cold?

It’s best served at room temperature—cold temperatures can dull the flavour and firm up the pasta.

8. Can I reduce the mayonnaise to make it lighter?

Yes, you could reduce the mayonnaise slightly or substitute part of it with yogurt, but the mayo-and-sour-cream mix gives the best creamy texture.

9. Can I freeze this salad?

It’s not recommended, as the dressing and avocado won’t maintain good texture after freezing.

10. How can I adjust the seasoning if it tastes too tangy?

If the dressing tastes too vinegary or tangy, reduce the cider vinegar slightly, or add a little extra sugar or mayonnaise to balance.

Conclusion

This creamy Chicken Pasta Salad delivers on flavour, texture, and convenience—ideal as a main dish, side salad, or make-ahead meal. With shredded chicken, cheese, crisp vegetables, and a luscious dressing, it hits all the marks for comfort and freshness. Make it once, and you’ll see why it’s a go-to for gatherings and easy lunches alike.

Print