High Protein Chicken Parmesan Pasta Salad takes the chicken parm ingredients you already know and turns them into a cold pasta salad you can keep in the fridge for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
This recipe uses rotini pasta, cooked chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and marinara sauce. The dressing has olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a little crushed red pepper if you want some heat.
It’s hearty without being fussy. The chicken adds protein, the pasta makes it filling, and the tomatoes and basil keep it fresh. The mozzarella pearls make every bite feel more like chicken Parmesan, but without turning this into a heavy baked pasta dish.
Use it for work lunches, a summer dinner, or a make-ahead meal when you want something already chilled and ready in the fridge. A large mixing bowl, whisk, measuring cups, and a cutting board are helpful for this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This High Protein Chicken Parmesan Pasta Salad
It Has 29 Grams of Protein
Each serving has 29 grams of protein from the chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
It Uses Familiar Ingredients
Rotini, chicken, tomatoes, marinara, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan keep this recipe familiar and practical.
It Works for Meal Prep
This pasta salad chills in the fridge before serving, so it’s a handy option for make-ahead lunches or dinners.
It Has Chicken Parmesan Flavor Without Baking
You still get the marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, chicken, and Italian seasoning, but in a cold pasta salad.
It’s Great for Potlucks
This recipe makes 6 servings, and each serving is about 1⅓ cups.
Ingredient Substitutions
Rotini Pasta
Penne, bowties, or medium shells can be used instead of rotini. Choose a pasta shape that holds dressing well.
Cooked Chicken Breast
Rotisserie chicken breast can be used in place of cooked chicken breast. Dice it into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the salad.
Cherry Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes can be used instead. Larger tomatoes can also work if they are seeded and chopped.
Mozzarella Pearls
Diced part-skim mozzarella can replace mozzarella pearls.
Fat-Free Marinara Sauce
Regular marinara sauce can be used if that’s what you have on hand.
Fresh Basil
Use fresh parsley if you don’t have basil. The flavor will change, but it still works with the Italian-style dressing.
Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs
Regular Italian seasoned breadcrumbs can be used. You can also leave them out if you want the pasta salad to stay softer.
Red Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar can be used in place of red wine vinegar.
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High Protein Chicken Parmesan Pasta Salad
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella pearls
- ½ cup fat-free marinara sauce
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until tender. Drain pasta in a colander. Rinse pasta under cold water until cooled. Drain well.
- Add cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add chicken, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, and basil.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk marinara sauce, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Pour dressing over pasta mixture. Toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
- Stir before serving Sprinkle with seasoned breadcrumbs right before serving, if using.
Notes
Storing
Store in Refrigerator – Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store Breadcrumbs Separately – Keep the breadcrumbs in a separate container and add them right before serving. Do Not Freeze – This pasta salad does not freeze well because the pasta, tomatoes, and mozzarella can change texture.Nutrition
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