This Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad is the perfect easy cold meal prep idea or a dish for a potluck!
No Heat Meal Prep
At work, we have a microwave that cannot be on while the toaster oven is on. Usually, I don’t really care about waiting those few extra minutes, but sometimes I am HUN.GR.Y., so those extra minutes are precious!
Plus, with the potluck work parties, I don’t want to waste time waiting for a microwave to free up and making sure the entire pasta dish is heated all the way through for the party. So here I am, with a delicious solution!
This cold chicken spinach pasta salad is so easy to make, plus it’s a great base for a variety of pasta salads. The chicken can be swapped out with chickpeas to make this pasta salad vegetarian, and other vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, etc can be added to the pasta salad to change it up!
Related: Want more delicious cold lunch recipes ideas from the blog? Try this Peach Quinoa Salad, Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas, and Mango Chili Lime Chicken Meal Prep!
What You’ll Need to Make This Chicken Pasta Salad Meal Prep
- pasta — feel free to use your favourite pasta shape. I personally love bow-ties for this pasta salad as it looks adorable.
- shredded chicken — take your pick on how to make your chicken. The Instant Pot method is easiest for me. You can even just shred some chicken from a store-bought rotisserie chicken and save the bones for homemade chicken stock.
- spinach — I personally prefer baby spinach for this pasta salad.
- my homemade creamy roasted garlic dressing (or dressing of your choice)
- optional: chili flakes to top for a little extra heat.
Tips for making this pasta salad perfectly
- 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.
- Not a fan of spinach? Swap for some cooked broccoli, kale, or another green veggie of your choice.
How To Make This Pasta Salad
- Following the direction on your box of pasta, cook pasta until al dente.
- Cook your chicken breasts in your method of choice and shred it before setting it aside.
- Once your pasta is almost done, prep a bowl of ice water to shock your pasta.
- In a large bowl, toss together your spinach, shredded chicken, pasta, with creamy roasted garlic dressing (or a dressing of your choice).
- Let chill before serving.
Make Ahead Tips
- Meal prep: store the salads in an airtight container in the fridge. Prepped salad will last for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the cooked chicken so you can quickly whip up this pasta salad whenever you’re craving it. Cook extra and allow the chicken and bacon to cool before transferring into an airtight container and storing them in the freezer.
Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, shredded
- 5 ounces spinach
- 3-4 tbsp creamy roasted garlic dressing, or dressing of your choice
- optional: chili flakes to top
Instructions
- Following the direction on your box of pasta, cook pasta until al dente.
- Cook your chicken breasts in your method of choice and shred it before setting it aside.
- Once your pasta is almost done, prep a bowl of ice water to shock your pasta.
- In a large bowl, toss together your spinach, shredded chicken, pasta, with creamy roasted garlic dressing (or a dressing of your choice).
- Let chill before serving.
More Salad Recipes to Try
- Quinoa Chicken Spinach Nergi Bowl
- Chicken Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Honey Garlic Sriracha Chicken
- BLT Salad with Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberries
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Chicken Cobb Salad (Meal Prep)
- Chopped Chicken Salad
- Healthy Chicken Mason Jar Salad
Other places to connect with me
Instagram: @carmyshungry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmyycom
Email: [email protected]
Mindy says
This was so good. Love the roasted garlic sauce!
Lori says
Where can I buy roasted garlic sauce
Carmy says
Hi! I make my own :) link: https://carmyy.com/homemade-creamy-roasted-garlic-dressing/
Belinda Taylor says
Super easy and quick. Both great benefits. I added a few extra items ( that’s just the way I flow). Sliced Strawberries, Blueberries and feta cheese were my choices.
Debra says
Great tips on cooking the pasta. I will definitely try the ice bath because mine always comes out gummy! I agree, this is awesome for a potluck so you don’t have to wait for space in the oven…and it definitely helps the hostess out too!
Marisa Franca says
What a great looking salad. This would be a wonderful lunch or a light dinner. I bet it even packs nicely for a picnic. I love the addition of the hot pepper flakes. Very tasty but easy to make. An ideal recipe.
Annemarie says
I love cold pasta dishes. They are perfect for picnics, lunches, and summer dinners. And this recipe would be great for leftover chicken which makes it even better! (Cook once, eat twice. :) )
AMBER says
So easy and so delicious!! A new favorite meal!
Carmy says
Woohoo! So happy to hear that you enjoyed! :)
Anne Lawton says
This is a great ! A full meal all in one bowl and I love that it’s portable too!
Maggie says
Oh my word! I need this Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad in my life. I have to rethink dinner tonight. lol.
Kallie says
Could you use a Rotisserie Chicken for the shredded chicken?
Carmy says
Yup! This pairs well if you have leftover chicken and want to make it into a “new” meal :)
Julie says
I looooove pasta salad – it’s my favorite summer dish. This looks like the perfect way to make it a main dish by adding a protein and some veggies. So good!
Alisha Rodrigues says
Pasta salads are always a favorite…. This looks so good with all the healthy ingredients and simple flavors
Ana F. says
This salad was delicious! So easy to make and healthy too. Love the sauce! Thanks for the recipe
Carmy says
Woohoo! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the lovely comment!
jenni lebaron says
I love the idea of no heat meal prep. I think the idea of adding this creamy roasted garlic dressing to the mix too. Delicious through and through!
Daniela says
What a deliciously fab pasta salad!!! Perfect for these warm summer months. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kylee Ayotte says
That roasted garlic sauce really took this to another level. My family and I loved this!
Lorie says
Carmy—this is the best, so simple but seriously a great way to get away from the same old, same old, which is the issue I seem to have.
Jagruti Dhanecha says
The highlight of this pasta is roasted garlic sauce, my daughter loves pasta and always look out for an easy yet tasty recipe, sharing with her now.
Natalie says
This is great idea and the recipe. I always have chicken leftovers from Sunday dinner and don’t know how to use it. Now I have a idea. This goes on my to try list asap. Loos fantastic!
Hayley says
I had leftover barbecue chicken and used it in this pasta! I made the garlic dressing, and it’s literally to die for. My husband said he’d eat it on ANYTHING. So excited for my lunches this week! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Carmy says
I am so glad this was a hit! Enjoy :)
Hannah says
Anyone know the nutritional facts on this?
Carmy says
Hey Hannah,
I have an estimate of the nutritional data for the dressing here: https://carmyy.com/homemade-creamy-roasted-garlic-dressing/. Unfortunately I don’t have the data for this recipe on its own it depends on how much/what type of pasta you use and how much dressing you prefer to add. Hope this helps :)
Brandi says
I am wondering if I make this ahead of time for lunches, will the spinach get soggy? There is nothing I hate more than soggy/slimy spinach. This looks delicious though and I can’t wait to try it!
Carmy says
It doesn’t feel soggy to me! However, if you’re considered, you can sub it for broccoli or something sturdier!
Debra says
Great recipe, my family would rather have Cesar dressing and it worked amazingly.
We also added bacon, Delicious!
Carmy says
Bacon sounds like such a delicious addition to this pasta! Thanks for leaving a rating :)
Donn says
I love how versatile this recipe is, we used some leftover rotisserie chicken and a half can of leftover chickpeas (because why not), and it was just perfect in its simplicity!
george says
Is the 5 oz of spinach er container or total ounces needed for all 5 containers.
Carmy says
Total, but you’re welcomed to add as much as you’d like!
Amanda says
I’m a college student trying to try new recipes and this has become one of my favorite lunches! I find myself coming back to this pin constantly (I should probably print it out at this point).
Carmy says
I’m so happy that this has become a favourite!! Thank you for sharing :)
LC says
I made the recipe but added red and orange peppers and tri colored rotini. I did not have time to refrigerate and used cold rotisserie chicken. My husband used bottled Ranch and I used Skinnygirl Honey Dijon and will make this recipe again.
Carmy says
Thank you for the 5 stars LC! :)
Dorothysasseville says
This was delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.
Carmy says
Happy you enjoyed!