We love the crunch of fresh cucumbers and peppers paired with soft pasta. This make ahead chicken tortellini salad uses real food to create a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Why You Will Love This Make Ahead Chicken Tortellini Salad
- Budget-Friendly: Uses simple staples like onions, peppers, and pasta.
- Time-Saving: The chicken bakes while you prep the vegetables, keeping your active kitchen time low.
- Fresh Taste: The homemade dressing is much brighter than store-bought versions.
Ingredients for the Chicken Tortellini Salad
- Chicken Breasts: These provide a lean protein source. Cutting them on the bias ensures even cooking.
- Fresh Tortellini: Using fresh rather than dried pasta results in a softer texture and faster cook time.
- Dijon Mustard: This acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar stay blended.
- Honey: A small amount balances the acidity of the red wine vinegar.
Making the Creamy Chicken Tortellini Salad
- Prep the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lay the chicken on a foil-lined tray and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Seal the foil tightly to lock in moisture. Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 165°F.
- Boil the Pasta: Cook the tortellini in salted water. Watch for them to float to the surface, which usually means they are ready. Drain and let them sit for a few minutes.
- Chop the Veggies: While the chicken bakes, dice your cucumber and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces and slice the onions thin.
- Emulsify the Dressing: Combine the oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey in your jar. Shake or whisk until the liquid looks uniform.
- Assemble: Combine the warm pasta, vegetables, and sliced chicken in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently.
The salad would go great paired with my butternut squash soup recipe. Both recipes are great comfort foods for those cold days.
Please visit my sides and salads page for more ideas!
FAQ's
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of baking it myself?
Yes! Using rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and still adds great flavor.
What kind of tortellini works best for this salad?
Cheese-filled tortellini is perfect, but you can also use spinach or meat-filled varieties.
Can I serve this salad cold?
Yes, it’s delicious cold or warm. Just chill the tortellini and dressing before combining.
How long will the chicken tortellini salad last in the fridge?
It keeps well for up to 3 days in an airtight container—great for meal prep!
What veggies can I add to the tortellini salad?
Try cherry tomatoes, spinach, cucumbers, bell peppers, or red onions for extra crunch and flavor.
Recipe
Easy Make Ahead Chicken Tortellini Salad
396kcal
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts cut on bias
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- ½ teaspoon each of sea salt and cracked black pepper
Salad:
- 1 pound of fresh tortellini
- 1 medium onion sliced thin
- 1 seedless cucumber diced
- 1 yellow (or red or green) bell pepper diced
- ½ pint (or more) of red grape tomatoes sliced in half
For the dressing:
- ½ cup of olive oil
- ¼ cup of red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- ½ teaspoon each of sea salt and cracked black pepper
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bring a pot of water to boil for tortellini.
- While water is heating up, cut up onion, cucumber, grapes, and tomatoes. When water comes to a boil, cook tortellini until desired texture. Fresh pasta tends to cook faster and may float when done. Drain tortellini and set aside.
- While tortellini is cooking, place chicken on a foil lined baking sheet and mix with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover with another piece of foil and crimp edges. Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 degrees F. When done and cooled, cut into bite sized pieces.
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl, mason jar, or cruet and mix well.
- In a large bowl combine cut up vegetables, chicken, tortellini, and dressing in a bowl and mix well. Serve right away or let it chill in the refrigerator. An option is to serve with shredded parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Serving8 servingsCalories396kcalCarbohydrates29gProtein15gFat25gSaturated Fat5gPolyunsaturated Fat2gMonounsaturated Fat14gTrans Fat0.03gCholesterol40mgSodium578mgPotassium178mgFiber3gSugar4gVitamin A103IUVitamin C30mgCalcium96mgIron2mg
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