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Chicken Nicoise Pasta Salad

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This Chicken Nicoise Pasta Salad is a fresh and hearty twist on the classic French Nicoise salad, combining tender chicken, pasta, crisp vegetables, olives, eggs, and a bright homemade vinaigrette. Packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors and wholesome ingredients, this refreshing pasta salad is perfect for lunches, meal prep, picnics, potlucks, or light dinners.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, sliced or shredded
  • 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon capers (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Boil the baby potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 10–12 minutes. Drain, cool slightly, and cut into halves if needed.
  • Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2–3 minutes, then transfer immediately to ice water to keep them crisp and vibrant. Drain well.
  • Slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.
  • In a large bowl, combine the pasta, potatoes, green beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and chicken.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
  • Top with sliced hard-boiled eggs and capers if desired.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and basil before serving.
  • Chill for 20 minutes or serve at room temperature.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for a quick shortcut.Grilled salmon or tuna can replace chicken for variation.Add cucumbers, roasted peppers, or arugula for extra freshness.Feta cheese adds a delicious Mediterranean twist.Gluten-free pasta can easily be substituted if needed.