As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Protein pasta salad with chicken is the healthy meal that everybody can make! This easy protein pasta comes together in under 20 minutes and is perfect as a fresh lunch or dinner.
Having a busy day? Pack this protein pasta salad in your lunch box. Or keep it in the fridge and and you will have a healthy dinner when you get back home.
High protein pasta salad
This protein pasta salad with chicken has quickly become my favorite lunch. It is so easy to put together, healthy and perfectly fits my lunch box.
I am a certified nutritionist and let me tell you this. Make sure you include a source of protein in all your meals. Eating a balanced meal has several health benefits, in particular this keeps your blood sugar levels under control, keeps you full for longer. And prevent overeating later in the day!
That’s why you should try this protein pasta salad with chicken! It has 47 grams of protein and is highly filling. What is more, my healthy pasta salad is so delicious and satisfying. It comes with avocado, mozzarella and a low-fat yogurt dressing.
3 protein sources
This protein pasta salad recipe has not just one, but three protein sources. Here they are:
- Chicken breast
- Low-fat mozzarella
- Greek yogurt
Ingredients and tips
This protein pasta salad recipe uses a bunch of wholesome, easy-to-find healthy ingredients. I bet you already have everything at home. But if you don’t, there’s no reason to worry. Read further and you will find all substitutes.
Here’s all you need to make this healthy pasta salad.
Greens and vegetables
- Fresh spinach. Spinach is the low calorie leafy green that has plenty of nutrients: iron, calcium and magnesium. You can swap it our for lettuce or salad.
- Cherry tomatoes. Did you know that tomatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C, A and E?
I love the taste of cherry tomatoes, but feel free to replace with grape, beefsteak or any type of tomato. - Avocado. For guacamole, sauces or salads, avocado has now become one of the most trendy foods. And that’s a good thing considering that avocados are such a healthy food. They are a source of healthy fats, vitamin E, K, C, B5, B6 and folate. What is more, they are so delicious in this healthy protein pasta salad!
Pasta
- Whole-wheat pasta. Replace with chickpea or lentil pasta for more protein or use normal pasta (also gluten-free).
- Olive oil. This enriches the meal with flavor and add some healthy monounsaturated fats to the pasta.
Protein
- Chicken breast. This recipe uses grilled chicken breast but you can substitute with turkey, lean meat, tuna or salmon. Looking for a vegan pasta salad? Use tofu, tempeh or seitan!
- Low-fat mozzarella. Whenever I make pasta salads, I like mixing in mini mozzarella balls. For this recipe I use low fat mozzarella, which adds plenty of taste and 14 grams of extra protein!
Replace low-fat mozzarella with normal mozzarella, feta, Parmesan cheese or omit this ingredient.
Greek yogurt dressing
For a more satisfying (and high protein) dish, we are going to toss this protein pasta with a healthy Greek Yogurt dressing.
Here is all you need to make this Greek yogurt dressing.
- Greek yogurt (low-fat). With 10 g of protein per 100 g, Greek yogurt makes great protein dressings and dips (check out my cinnamon roll dip!).
Replace Greek Yogurt with Skyr, quark or dairy-free alternatives. - Low-fat mayo. This adds more taste to our protein pasta salad (I like the 80/20 approach, everything can fit a healthy diet ?).
Replace with sriracha mayo if you desire. - Salt and seasonings. This recipe uses sea salt and smoked paprika, but feel free to add any seasoning you like (garlic powder, onion powder, etc.).
How to make protein pasta salad
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. After pasta is cooked, drizzle with olive oil and let cool in a bowl.
- Cook chicken breast.
- Add chopped spinach, diced cherry tomatoes and avocado to a bowl. Then add to the bowl chicken breast, mini mozzarellas, cooked and cooled pasta and a drizzle olive oil.
- For the yogurt dressing, in a small bowl whisk Greek Yogurt, low-fat mayo, salt and paprika until creamy. Add Greek yogurt dressing over the bowl and toss protein pasta salad.
- Serve directly or store in a food container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
If you want to make vegan protein pasta salad, follow make 3 easy adjustments:
1. Replace chicken breast with tofu, tempeh, seitan or vegan chicken;
2. Use vegan mozzarella or feta;
3. Make your yogurt dressing with dairy-free yogurt.
Just make this recipe with gluten-free pasta (such as corn, rice, chickpea or lentil pasta).
After preparing this recipe, transfer your pasta to a food container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
This protein pasta salad recipe makes an abundant serving or two smaller servings.
If you want to make this protein pasta salad with chicken for more people, just increase all ingredients proportional to the number of servings you want to get.
Yes, whole-wheat pasta is a healthy source of carbohydrates. It has a lower glycemic impact, thus giving you energy without excessive spikes in your blood sugar levels.
There is no reason why you should avoid pasta, also if you are trying to loose weight. At the end of the day, what determines if you loose or gain weight is your total energy balance.
Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken
Ingredients
- 70 grams (2.5 oz.) whole-wheat pasta
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- a handful of fresh spinach
- cherry tomatoes
- 100 grams (3.5 oz.) chicken breast
- 50 grams (2 oz.) mini mozzarellas (low fat)
- 1/2 (ca. 70 grams) avocado
Greek Yogurt Dressing
- 70 grams (1/3 cup) Greek Yogurt (low fat)
- 1/2 tbsp low-fat mayo
- salt (to taste)
- smoked paprika (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. After pasta is cooked, drizzle with olive oil and let cool in a bowl.
- Cook chicken breast.
- Add chopped spinach, diced cherry tomatoes and avocado to a bowl. Then add to the bowl chicken breast, mini mozzarellas, cooked and cooled pasta and a drizzle olive oil.
Greek Yogurt Dressing
- In a small bowl whisk together Greek Yogurt, low-fat mayo, salt and paprika until creamy. Add Greek yogurt dressing over the bowl and toss protein pasta salad.
- Serve directly or store in a food container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
I make this for my son who does boxing to have as a post weigh-in meal, I was looking for something high in carbs and protein and this ticks both boxes.
Hey dear Andrew,
thanks a lot for your comment!! I truly hope that you will all like this high protein pasta salad recipe 😉 As you said, it is perfect if you need a quick & easy meal that is packed with protein, carbs and taste. I promise you’ll love it!
Have a great day,
Matteo