Description
High-Protein Pasta Salad is a nutritious and satisfying dish packed with protein from chicken, chickpeas, and cheese, perfect for meal prep or a balanced lunch.
Ingredients
Units
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- 3 cups whole wheat or protein-enriched pasta, cooked
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- Use grilled tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Great for meal prep—keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Add avocado or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and healthy fats.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 65mg