Name: Summery Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2/3 cup olive oil; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley; 1 Tbsp dried dill; 2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves); Salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 ears fresh yellow corn; 16 oz mini bow tie pasta; 12 slices (12 oz) bacon, cooked, drained and chopped; 12 oz. grape tomatoes, halved; 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes; 1 1/2 cups chopped English cucumber (about 3/4 of one medium); 1 cup chopped green onions (about 5); 3 1/2 cups cooked shredded rotisserie chicken, chilled; 1/4 cup pasta water, or more as needed

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a dish that captures all the brightness and energy of a sunny afternoon, look no further than this Summery Chicken Pasta Salad. Bursting with vibrant veggies, tender chicken, and a creamy-herby dressing, it’s as refreshing as it is satisfying. Whether you’re serving it at a picnic, prepping it for weekday lunches, or sharing with friends at your next backyard get-together, this crowd-pleaser deserves a spot in your summer meal rotation. There’s just something magical about the combination of crisp corn, juicy tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and hearty chicken—all tossed together for an effortlessly delicious bite.

Summery Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about Summery Chicken Pasta Salad is how each ingredient brings something special to the party, giving the finished dish its irresistible taste, texture, and color. Here’s what you’ll need to make this salad sing—prepare to fall in love with every single component.

Olive oil: A silky base for the creamy dressing, adding richness and depth.
Mayonnaise: Helps give the dressing its luscious texture without being too heavy.
Fresh lemon juice: Lifts the flavors with bright, citrusy zing.
Fresh parsley: Brings a lively, herbaceous note and adds gorgeous green flecks throughout.
Dried dill: The classic summer herb, lending an unmistakably fresh aroma.
Minced garlic: Adds a touch of bite and warmth to the dressing.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning the salad just right.
Fresh yellow corn: Sweet, juicy kernels bring crunch and color—a taste of summer in every bite.
Mini bow tie pasta: A fun, bite-sized shape that holds the dressing perfectly.
Bacon: Smoky, salty, and satisfyingly crisp—totally worth it.
Grape tomatoes: Tiny bursts of sweetness that balance the savory notes beautifully.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Adds rich, tangy flavor and lovely color contrast in the salad.
English cucumber: Crisp and refreshing, it brings coolness and crunch.
Green onions: Mild but flavorful, they add layers of flavor throughout.
Rotisserie chicken: Chilled and shredded for easy prep—delicious and protein-packed.
Pasta water: Reserve this magic liquid to help the dressing cling to every piece.

How to Make Summery Chicken Pasta Salad

Step 1: Whisk the Dressing

Start by whisking together the olive oil, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, dried dill, and garlic in a small mixing bowl. Season your dressing with salt and pepper to taste. The resulting mixture should be creamy, herb-forward, and just tart enough—exactly what you want to coat every bit of your Summery Chicken Pasta Salad. Pop the bowl in the fridge until you’re ready to toss everything together, so the flavors mingle beautifully.

Step 2: Cook the Corn

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salting it generously—it’s the key to plump, flavorful corn and pasta. Drop in the fresh corn cobs, and let them cook for four minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking. Once they’re perfectly crisp-tender, remove and let them cool. You’ll be surprised at how much natural sweetness and crunch this adds to your Summery Chicken Pasta Salad.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

While your corn cools, add mini bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook until just al dente. Before draining, reserve about half a cup of the pasta water—it contains starches that help the dressing cling for a silky, cohesive salad. Once drained, spread the pasta on a lightly greased baking sheet and let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes. This step helps keep the pasta from sticking while it chills down.

Step 4: Prep the Salad Components

As your pasta cools, slice the kernels off the corn cobs and chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Halve the grape tomatoes, dice your cheddar cheese into neat cubes, chop the cucumber, slice green onions, and shred your chilled rotisserie chicken. Having everything prepped and ready to go makes salad assembly a total breeze.

Step 5: Toss it All Together

In your largest mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, juicy corn kernels, smoky bacon, bright tomatoes, tangy cheddar, crunchy cucumber, green onions, and the chilled chicken. Pour the reserved dressing right over top, along with a quarter cup of pasta water. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated and dressed. If the salad feels a little thick, loosen it up with a bit more pasta water. Quickly taste and add extra salt if desired—seasoning at every stage makes all the difference.

Step 6: Let the Flavors Meld (Optional)

If you have time, pop the finished Summery Chicken Pasta Salad into the fridge for an hour or two. Letting the flavors meld enhances every element and yields an even more irresistible salad. Of course, if you just can’t wait, it’s perfectly delicious served right away, too!

How to Serve Summery Chicken Pasta Salad

Garnishes

Before serving, I love to sprinkle extra chopped fresh parsley and a little crack of black pepper over the top. Add a few bacon bits or extra cubes of cheddar for some pop, or even a dusting of lemon zest for brightness. These little touches make your Summery Chicken Pasta Salad look just as fabulous as it tastes!

Side Dishes

This salad plays so well with a variety of sides: think sliced watermelon, a simple green salad, or crusty bread for scooping up every last bite. Pair it with a chilled glass of iced tea or lemonade, and you have the summer lunch (or dinner!) of your dreams.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not spoon your Summery Chicken Pasta Salad into lettuce cups for a playful twist, or pack it into mason jars for perfect picnic portions? For entertaining, serve the salad on a big platter lined with leafy greens—it looks bountiful and inviting, perfect for guests to help themselves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Summery Chicken Pasta Salad stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The veggies may release a little liquid over time; a gentle toss before re-serving brings everything back together.

Freezing

While freezing is possible, the texture of the veggies, mayo-based dressing, and cheese can change once thawed, making things a little less perky. For best results, enjoy your salad fresh, or prep ingredients separately and combine just before serving if planning ahead.

Reheating

This salad is at its best served cold or at room temperature, so no need to reheat! If you prefer, you can let it sit out of the fridge for 15–20 minutes before serving to take the chill off for a softer, fuller flavor.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! Bow ties are adorable and perfect for catching all the goodies, but rotini, penne, or even shells would work beautifully in Summery Chicken Pasta Salad.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta and double-check your bacon and mayonnaise labels. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I make it vegetarian?

You sure can! Omit the chicken and bacon, and either add an extra can of drained chickpeas or toss in some roasted vegetables for satisfying heft. The salad is still bright, creamy, and packed with flavor.

What’s the best way to shred rotisserie chicken?

Remove the skin and bones, then pull the meat apart with two forks or your hands while it’s chilled. It’s easier and less messy to handle cold, and you get hearty, rustic pieces for your Summery Chicken Pasta Salad.

Can I use frozen or canned corn?

Absolutely. Fresh corn brings the best sweetness and crunch, but in a pinch, thawed frozen corn or well-drained canned corn can be used. Give them a quick sauté for more flavor before mixing in.

Final Thoughts

With its bright flavors, satisfying textures, and crowd-pleasing color, Summery Chicken Pasta Salad is destined to become one of those good-times recipes you look forward to making all season long. Give it a try for your next gathering or easy family dinner—you might just find yourself daydreaming about summer every time you dig in!

Summery Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: Lily
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Summery Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for warm weather. Packed with vibrant flavors and textures, it’s great for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner.

Instructions

Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Corn: Boil corn for 4 minutes, then cut kernels from cobs.
Pasta: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Assembly: Combine pasta, corn, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, cucumber, green onions, and chicken in a large bowl.
Dressing: Pour dressing over the salad, add pasta water, toss to coat. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Chill: Let salad sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours to meld flavors, or serve immediately.

Notes

You can customize this salad by adding or substituting your favorite vegetables or proteins.
For a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Mixing, Boiling
Cuisine: American