Bow-Tie Pasta Salad with Chicken and Chickpeas
Michael Matthews adapted by JojoM
A refreshing and hearty pasta salad with chicken, chickpeas, vegetables, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a light meal or as a side dish.
🥗 Bow-Tie Pasta Salad with Chicken and Chickpeas
Looking for a refreshing, protein-packed dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner? This Bow-Tie Pasta Salad with Chicken and Chickpeas combines tender chicken, hearty chickpeas, and crunchy vegetables tossed in a tangy olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. It’s light yet filling — ideal for meal prep or a summer picnic! ☀️
🍴 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pasta salad is a delicious blend of flavors and textures — creamy Parmesan, zesty mustard, and crisp cucumbers all come together in harmony. Chickpeas add fiber and protein, making it a balanced meal that keeps you satisfied. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time.
🧑🍳 How to Make It Step-by-Step
- Cook the pasta: Boil the bow-tie pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Combine everything: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, chickpeas, olives, celery, cucumbers, carrots, and onion.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, minced garlic, parsley, basil, and pepper.
- Toss it up: Pour the dressing over the salad, add shredded Parmesan, and toss everything together with tongs until evenly coated.
- Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to let the flavors meld beautifully. 🕒
💡 Tips & Variations
- Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers for extra color and flavor.
- For a lighter version, swap olive oil with Greek yogurt dressing.
- Great for meal prep — store in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the chicken and adding more chickpeas or tofu.
🌿 Perfect Pairings
Pair this wholesome salad with a slice of crusty whole-grain bread or a glass of chilled white wine 🍷. It also works wonderfully as a side dish for grilled meats or seafood.
Enjoy this healthy, fiber-rich pasta salad that’s as colorful as it is delicious — the perfect choice for busy days when you want something quick, nutritious, and satisfying. 😋
Bow-Tie Pasta Salad with Chicken and Chickpeas
Michael Matthews adapted by JojoMA refreshing and hearty pasta salad with chicken, chickpeas, vegetables, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a light meal or as a side dish.
Tools Used
Tongs
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Ingredients
Main Ingredients
Instructions
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and run pasta under cold water for about 30 seconds or until it is completely cool.
- 2
Transfer pasta to a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Use tongs to mix thoroughly to combine.
- 3
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Toss the salad prior to serving.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
