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–+ servings
Gluten Free Pasta and Chicken Salad on a plate.

Gluten-Free Pasta and Chicken Salad

This healthy and protein-packed pasta chicken salad is LOADED with all the healthy things! Gluten-free pasta, pan roasted chicken, and fresh tomatoes and cucumbers with a homemade dressing.
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pasta salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: April Saunders

Ingredients

  • 3 cups chicken breast meat, cooked and shredded
  • 3 cups gluten-free pasta, rotini, dry 8 oz / 227 g
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 large english cucumbers diced
  • ½ small red onion finely diced
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 Lemon for juice and zest
  • 1.5 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt

Instructions

Cook Chicken Breasts (if using pre-cooked chicken, skip this step.)

  • To cook chicken perfectly in the Instant Pot (IP), set the IP to "Saute". Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Sprinkle some Kosher salt and Italian seasoning over chicken breasts.
  • When hot, sear the chicken breasts for 3 minutes per side. Remove from pot. Add 2 cups of gluten-free chicken broth to descale the pot, scraping up any bits of chicken off the bottom.
  • Hit "Cancel" on IP. Add chicken breasts back to the pot. Secure lid. Pressure cook for 8 minutes and do a quick release. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Shred on a cutting board. Set aside.

Make the pasta and salad

  • Cook gluten-free pasta according to package instructions. Run under cold water. Drain and set aside.
  • While pasta cooks, get other ingredients ready: shred or dice cooked chicken, dice tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion.
  • Add cooked pasta, shredded chicken breast, diced tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion to a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and Kosher salt.
  • Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
  • Let sit in fridge for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours before serving.

Notes

Yield: this recipe makes a LOT. About 12 cups total
Any pasta shape will do, pick your favorite.
3 cups of dry pasta = about 5 cups cooked pasta
Nutrition information is approximate and for a 2 cup serving of the salad.
Nutrition Facts
Gluten-Free Pasta and Chicken Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
267
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Cholesterol
 
48
mg
16
%
Sodium
 
112
mg
5
%
Potassium
 
592
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
31
g
10
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
 
403
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
25
mg
30
%
Calcium
 
59
mg
6
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories
267
Nutrition Facts