BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad (High Protein & Meal Prep Friendly)
Ingredients
Pasta & Protein
- 2 cups cooked pasta (rotini or penne work best)
- ½ cups shredded grilled chicken breast
Veggies & Add-ins
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (sweet, smoky, or spicy depending on taste)
- 2 tbsp light mayonnaise (optional, for creaminess)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain, then rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, BBQ sauce, and light mayo (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, shredded chicken, beans, corn, onion, celery, and cilantro. Toss lightly.
- Dress it up: Pour the BBQ dressing over the mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill & serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can meld. Stir before serving, garnish with extra cilantro if you’d like, and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- High Protein Boost: Each serving packs ~30g of protein thanks to lean chicken and black beans.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Stays fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days — perfect for grab-and-go lunches.
- Customizable BBQ Flavor: Use sweet, smoky, or spicy BBQ sauce depending on your mood.
- Balanced & Filling: A mix of protein, fiber, and complex carbs keeps you satisfied longer.
- Family-Friendly Twist: Creamy, tangy, and slightly smoky — a crowd-pleaser even for picky eaters.