Description
Looking for a satisfying easy recipe that’s creamy, protein-packed, and perfect for meal prep? This High-Protein Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad combines tender chicken, rotini pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a rich ranch yogurt dressing. It’s a flavorful dish that works beautifully as a quick lunch, easy dinner, healthy snack, or potluck favorite. With balanced textures and bold ranch flavor in every bite, this pasta salad delivers comforting food ideas that are both nutritious and incredibly delicious.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked rotini pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 cup cucumber sliced
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup red onion diced
1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded or cubed
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ranch seasoning mix
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely
2. If the chicken is not already cooked, season chicken breast with salt and pepper and cook in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked then dice into bite sized pieces
3. Prepare the vegetables by slicing cherry tomatoes cucumbers shredding carrots and finely dicing red onion
4. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together Greek yogurt mayonnaise ranch seasoning lemon juice salt and pepper until smooth
5. In a large bowl combine cooled pasta diced chicken tomatoes cucumbers carrots red onion and cheddar cheese
6. Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated
7. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes so the flavors blend together
8. Before serving toss again and garnish with fresh chopped parsley
Notes
For extra protein replace part of the pasta with chickpea pasta or add additional grilled chicken
Always cool the pasta completely before mixing so the dressing stays thick and creamy
If preparing ahead reserve a little dressing and mix it in right before serving to refresh the salad
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: high protein pasta salad, creamy ranch pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, meal prep salad, easy dinner ideas, quick lunch recipe, healthy food ideas