Looking for a cold lunch idea? Then this tasty Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas meal prep is for you!
Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas
A while back, I shared my go-to potluck recipe, Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad, and I’ve gotten some requests to make more cold lunch recipes so here I am with another one! I’m always in the market for a good cold pasta salad. Cold pasta salads are great for potlucks and meal preps because sometimes you just don’t have access to a microwave to heat up your meals in.
I mean, how many times have you gone to your work lunchroom only to see a line for the microwave? When half the staff is scheduled in the same lunch hour and you only have 1-2 microwave to go around, a cold lunch meal prep is something you’re going to be happy to have! I hope you like this Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas meal prep! Bonus: this recipe is great if you have leftover chicken or if you’re looking to use up a rotisserie chicken.
What You’ll Need To Make This Cold Work Lunch
- pasta, I used rotini
- leftover chicken, shredded
- broccoli
- peas
- Lemon Basil Vinaigrette (or your dressing of choice)
How To Make Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas
Note: these instructions assume that you have cooked chicken ready to use. If you need a recipe for cooking chicken, check out this post!
- Following the direction on your box of pasta, cook pasta until al dente.
- At the same time, either stir fry, oven bake, or steam some broccoli. I prefer steaming for this recipe. Set aside when done.
- Once your pasta is almost done, prep a bowl of ice water to shock your pasta.
- n a large bowl, toss together your pasta, broccoli, peas, and shredded chicken with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette (or a dressing of your choice).
- Let chill before serving.
Tips and Notes on Making This Cold Chicken Meal Prep
- I paired this pasta salad up with a lemon basil vinaigrette because it’s so light and refreshing, making it the prefect pairing for a spring/summer recipe.
- Pasta, if tossed in dressing when warm, will soak up all the dressing and become dry and gummy. To avoid this, shock the pasta once it’s done cooking in ice water to get it cold fast (and avoid the pasta from sticking together while you wait for it to cool).
- Pasta salad get better with time! After mixing the pasta salad, chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- I like storing my meal preps in Glasslock airtight containers.
- Another favourite dressing of mine that you might like is this creamy roasted garlic dressing.
Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas
Ingredients
- 3 cups pasta, I used rotini
- 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
- 1 crown broccoli, or more, cut up
- 1.5 cups peas, or more
- 1 cup Lemon Basil Vinaigrette, or your dressing of choice
Instructions
- Following the direction on your box of pasta, cook pasta until al dente.
- At the same time, either stir fry, oven bake, or steam some broccoli. I prefer steaming for this recipe. Set aside when done.
- Once your pasta is almost done, prep a bowl of ice water to shock your pasta.
- In a large bowl, toss together your pasta, broccoli, peas, and shredded chicken with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette (or a dressing of your choice).
- Let chill before serving.
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR MEAL PREPPING
- How To Cook Chicken Breasts Perfectly
- What Is An Instant Pot
- Tips To Help You Meal Prep For The Week Successfully
- Meal Prep Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mealprepsupport/
MORE SALAD RECIPES TO TRY
- Quinoa Chicken Spinach Nergi Bowl
- Chicken Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Honey Garlic Sriracha Chicken
- One Pot Beef Tomato Basil Spinach Pasta with a side of Strawberry and Cashew Salad
- Healthy Chicken Mason Jar Salad
- Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
Other places to connect with me
Instagram: @carmyshungry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmyycom
Email: carmy@carmyy.com
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