Delicious Pasta Salad with Arugula, Chicken, and Tomatoes + French Dressing

Homemade, tested, and photographed

This Pasta Salad with Arugula, Chicken, and Tomatoes offers a delightful twist on a classic dish. The blend of flavorful arugula, sweet mini tomatoes, and tender chicken is perfectly complemented by a creamy, homemade French dressing. Free from industrial sugar, this recipe presents a lighter yet flavorful option for lunch, dinner, or your next garden party. Additionally, this onion-free pasta salad can be easily prepared in advance and transported.

Reasons to Love This Pasta Salad with French Dressing

• Creamy and Flavorful: The dressing, made from yogurt, mayonnaise, and tomato paste, adds a lovely reddish hue and delicious taste to the salad.
• Crisp Freshness: The arugula contributes a pleasant peppery flavor that pairs wonderfully with the fresh tomatoes.
• Satisfying Main Dish: With the inclusion of pasta and chicken, this salad serves as a complete meal that keeps you full for longer.
• Quick Preparation: Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s ideal for busy days.

Tips and Variations for Your Pasta Salad

Preparation is straightforward: while the pasta cooks and cools, you can prepare the other ingredients. Simply quarter the mini tomatoes and dice the pre-cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. The French dressing is easily mixed from yogurt, mayonnaise, tomato paste, paprika, salt, pepper, and freshly chopped chives. Combine everything only after the pasta has cooled to ensure the arugula remains crisp and doesn’t wilt.

Feel free to choose any type of pasta that you prefer. I opted for bowtie pasta, as the ridges hold onto the dressing well.

If you want to switch things up, consider substituting the chicken with small mozzarella balls or adding some toasted pine nuts for extra crunch.

For a vegetarian version, simply omit the meat or replace it with sautéed smoked tofu.

Make sure to wash the arugula thoroughly and let it drain well to keep the dressing creamy.

All ingredients can be easily found at any standard supermarket. For the best flavor, let the salad sit covered in the refrigerator until serving, allowing the French dressing’s flavors to meld.

This hearty pasta salad combines zesty arugula and juicy chicken with a homemade French dressing, making it perfect for a quick meal.

🍏 No industrial sugar • 🚫🥜 Nut-free

(Note: Depending on the brand, products may contain hidden additives or traces.)

Recipe Summary

Difficulty: Easy Budget: Standard Preparation Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 2

Ingredients

• ▢ 250 g pasta
• ▢ 10 mini tomatoes
• ▢ 40 g arugula
• ▢ 200 g chicken, cooked

Dressing

• ▢ 150 g yogurt
• ▢ 50 g mayonnaise
• ▢ 1 tsp tomato paste
• ▢ 1 tsp paprika
• ▢ Salt and pepper
• ▢ 5 g chives

Instructions

1. In a suitable pot, cook 250 g of pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside to cool.
2. Wash and quarter 10 mini tomatoes and place them in a salad bowl. Cut the 200 g of chicken into cubes and add them to the bowl. Add 40 g of arugula to the other ingredients.
3. For the French dressing, wash and chop 5 g of chives into small pieces. Combine with 150 g of yogurt, 50 g of mayonnaise, 1 tsp of tomato paste, 1 tsp of paprika, as well as salt and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Once the pasta has cooled, add it to the salad bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the top and gently fold everything together.
5. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

I’d love your feedback! If you’ve modified the recipe, please share your tips in the comments!

Calories: 829kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 28g

Since 2013, I have been sharing simple savory and sweet recipes without specialty ingredients on my blog. I enjoy cinnamon and garlic but consciously avoid cumin, coriander, and caraway. Each recipe is personally developed, tested multiple times, and designed to be easily replicated – bringing real results from my kitchen to yours.