Description
Looking for a quick and easy recipe that’s bursting with color and flavor? Cranberry Pasta Salad combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, tangy feta, crunchy pecans, and sweet dried cranberries for the ultimate lunch, healthy snack, or dinner idea. This easy recipe comes together fast, making it perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or weeknight meals. It’s a delicious choice for anyone searching for new food ideas, quick breakfast options, or crowd-pleasing dinner ideas.
Ingredients
240 grams (8 oz) rotini or fusilli pasta, uncooked
240 grams (2 cups) cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
70 grams (1/2 cup) dried cranberries
60 grams (2 cups) arugula or mixed greens
100 grams (3.5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
60 grams (1/2 cup) pecan halves
30 grams (1/4 cup) pumpkin or sunflower seeds (optional)
90 ml (6 tbsp) vinaigrette dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool.
2. While the pasta is cooking, shred or cube the cooked chicken breast.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, cranberries, arugula, feta cheese, pecans, and seeds.
4. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
6. Toss again before serving and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
For vegetarian version, omit chicken and add extra greens or chickpeas.
For best results, add greens and dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh.
Feel free to substitute walnuts or almonds for pecans, and goat cheese for feta if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 36mg
Keywords: easy recipe, healthy salad, meal prep, quick dinner, lunch ideas, cranberry pasta salad, food ideas