Best Ever Cajun Chicken Pasta Salad (Spicy, Creamy, Flavor-Packed)
This Cajun Chicken Pasta Salad is a flavor-packed cold salad with grilled Cajun-seasoned chicken, rotini pasta, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy ranch yogurt dressing. Easy to prep, high in protein, and perfect for summer meals, BBQs, or weekly meal prep. It’s spicy, creamy, and always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 oz Rotini or penne pasta, cooked and cooled
- 2 Chicken breasts, grilled or pan-seared with Cajun seasoning
- ½ cup Red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup Yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup Celery, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup Optional: Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-sear until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest, then slice or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Prep the Veggies: Dice bell peppers, slice celery, and finely chop the red onion. You can also shred the cheese if using.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, veggies, and cheese (if using). Pour dressing over and toss gently to combine.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Garnish with extra Cajun seasoning or chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
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