There’s Mediterranean-inspired flavor and texture galore in every bite of this fresh and easy pasta salad! Tender lemon pepper chicken, al dente pasta, chickpeas, crunchy cucumbers and red bell peppers, healthy fresh spinach, the peppery bite of basil, all perfumed with oregano, lemon pepper, lemon juice, garlic, and red onions. The recipe makes a very big batch making it ideal for parties, picnics, potlucks, or barbecues. It’s also a good dish to make for a hassle-free weeknight dinner knowing you’ll have planned leftovers. However, you can halve the recipe to make a more modest amount. You can serve it warm or chilled, and since there’s no mayo, it’s great for summertime.
Ingredients in Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
To make this fast and easy pasta salad with chicken and lemon, you’ll need:
Rotini pasta – any small-shaped pasta will work (bow tie, penne, ziti, orecchiette, wheels, small or medium shell, etc.) Extra virgin olive oil Chicken breasts Chickpeas Lemon pepper seasoning Dried oregano Kosher salt Black pepper Garlic Fresh spinach Red bell peppers Cucumbers Red onions Fresh basil leaves Fresh lemon juice Feta cheese, optional
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Lemon Basil Pasta Salad with Chicken
This pasta salad with lemon, chicken, and basil couldn’t be easier to make! Here are the basic recipe steps:
Recipe Variations
Pasta salads are a great way to mix-and-match or improvise with ingredients based on what you have on hand, and what you enjoy. However, lemon pepper seasoning can be a bit of a wild card. Some brands have quite a bit of added sodium whereas others don’t. If you’re adding more seasoning at the end of the cook time, add the lemon pepper slowly, stirring well after each addition so you don’t accidentally over season, or shall I say over salt, your pasta salad. Apart from swapping out the actual pasta, you can tweak other ingredients such as:
Cannelloni beans rather than chickpeas, or omit the beans Italian seasoning instead of oregano A spring mix of greens rather than spinach Mint for basil Any color bell peppers Incorporate tomatoes such as cherry, grape, Roma, or heirloom Grated Parmesan cheese instead of the optional feta Add artichokes Include your favorite olives Use gluten-free pasta
More Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes:
The Best Pasta Salad Recipes – There’s something for everyone in this collection of FAST and EASY pasta salad recipes!! Whether you need something to bring to a potluck or picnic, or are in need of a no-fuss weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy, these recipes have you covered!! The spinach and basil will deepen in color as time passes. They may even look borderline black. This doesn’t mean they’ve gone bad — they’re just not quite as visually appealing on day 5 as on day 1. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Italian Chicken Pasta Salad — This Italian Chicken Pasta Salad is easy, ready in 20 minutes, and showcases some of my favorite summer ingredients. It’s perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner! Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad — The BEST version of a chicken Caesar salad because there’s tender pasta, too!! EASY, ready in 20 minutes, makes a big batch, and a guaranteed family FAVORITE!! Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 30 minutes, and packed with Asian-inspired flavors!! Juicy sesame chicken, pasta, and lots of healthy vegetables! PERFECT for potlucks, picnics, parties, and planned leftovers!! Asian Pasta Salad with Chicken — Big juicy chicken chunks and texture galore from the rainbow of crispy veggies! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! Great for picnics, potlucks, and easy dinners!! Originally posted August 2, 2021 and reposted May 10, 2024 with updated text.
