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Easy 5-Ingredient Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe for Perfect Italian Dressing

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring rotisserie chicken, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a fuss-free lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) cooked pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain well in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let drain fully for about 5 minutes.
  2. Prepare the chicken and tomatoes: While pasta cooks, shred or chop about 2 cups of rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces. Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes and set aside.
  3. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta, rotisserie chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. Add Italian dressing: Pour 1/2 cup Italian dressing over the salad. Gently toss everything together with a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly coated, being careful not to mash the tomatoes.
  5. Chill and serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Taste before serving and add extra dressing or salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Toss salad gently to avoid mashing tomatoes. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Adjust dressing to taste and watch salt levels due to rotisserie chicken and dressing. Use shredded mozzarella, not fresh mozzarella balls, to avoid watery salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: rotisserie chicken pasta salad, Italian dressing pasta salad, easy pasta salad, 5 ingredient pasta salad, quick lunch recipe, potluck salad

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