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Creamy chicken pasta salad with rotini, chopped chicken, celery, and red onion in a large white bowl

Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad

A rich and refreshing Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad with tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and a tangy mayo-sour cream dressing. Ready in 25 minutes and perfect for meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta cooked just before al dente
  • 2 cups cooked chicken chopped
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise full-fat recommended
  • 0.33 cup sour cream full-fat recommended
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced
  • 0.33 cup red onion finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.33 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta just before al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until fully cooled. Shake off excess water.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth.
  3. Add the cooled pasta to the dressing and toss gently to coat. Make sure pasta is fully cooled before this step.
  4. Add chopped chicken, diced celery, red onion, and fresh parsley. Fold gently until everything is well combined.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. Before serving stir well and add a spoonful of extra mayo if the salad has thickened. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Notes

Pull pasta off heat just before al dente as it softens further while absorbing the dressing. Always cool pasta fully before mixing or the dressing will separate. Tastes even better the next day. Add a splash of mayo before serving leftovers to refresh creaminess. Do not freeze.