Easy High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad (Perfect for Meal Prep)

This easy high-protein Italian pasta salad is one of my go-to recipes when I want something filling and flavorful. It’s loaded with lean chicken breast, plenty of vegetables, olives for that salty bite, and tossed with a double batch of my Best Homemade Italian Dressing. It holds up beautifully in the fridge and gets even better as it sits. Below, I’ll share exactly what I used.

Why I love this salad:

This is one of my favorite salads for meal prep because it stays flavorful all week. I sometimes add an extra can of chicken for extra protein, and rotisserie chicken works just as well here.

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Ingredients

Servings: 6–8

Time: Prep 20 minutes | Total 20 minutes

• 1 (16-oz) package pasta, cooked (I used gemelli, but any short shape works well)

• 2 (12-oz) cans chicken breast in water, drained and shredded

• 2 small crowns broccoli, chopped into bite-size pieces

• 2 bell peppers, diced (or about 6–8 small colorful sweet peppers, chopped)

• ½ cup sliced black olives

• ½ cup sliced green olives, pimento-stuffed

Dressing

• Double batch of The Best Homemade Italian Dressing(about 1½ cups total)

  • 👉 Use this recipe: https://www.saladmood.com/post/the-best-homemade-italian-dressing-simple-flavorful

Instructions

1. Chop the broccoli and bell peppers and add them to a large bowl.

2. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

3. While the pasta is still hot, add it directly on top of the vegetables.Let it sit for about 5 minutes so the heat from the pasta slightly softens the broccoli and peppers.

4. Add the shredded chicken, black olives, and green olives.

5. Pour the double batch of Italian dressing over the salad.

6. Toss everything together until well combined.

7. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Storage

Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Stir before serving and add a little extra dressing if needed.

Nutrition (Approximate, per serving – based on 8 servings)

• Calories: ~420

• Protein: ~32 g

• Carbohydrates: ~32 g

• Fat: ~20 g

• Fiber: ~4 g

Notes & Variations

• For extra protein, add an additional can of chicken breast.

• Rotisserie chicken works well here and is a great option if you have leftovers.

• This salad pairs especially well with my Best Homemade Italian Dressing, which I like to keep on hand for easy meals.

What I Used

• Organic Gemelli Pasta

• Sliced Black Olives

• Pimento-Stuffed Green Olives

• Canned Chicken Breast

  
  

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