Easy Layered Pasta Salad with Chicken (Quick 13-Minute Recipe)
This Layered Pasta Salad is as beautiful as it is delicious. Packed with tender pasta, juicy chicken, crisp lettuce, sweet peas, crunchy celery, and a creamy dressing, it’s the perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (if using pre-cooked chicken and pasta)
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 1x
Ingredients
300g cooked pasta (rotini or shells), cooled
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 cup peas (fresh or thawed frozen)
2 cups chopped lettuce
2 celery stalks, finely sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
100g shredded cheddar cheese
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
For the Dressing
250ml mayonnaise
120ml sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
Start Layering
In a large clear glass bowl or trifle dish, spread the cooked pasta evenly across the bottom.
Add the Layers
Layer diced chicken over the pasta, followed by peas, celery, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce.
Spread the Dressing
Carefully spread the dressing evenly over the top layer, sealing it to the edges of the bowl to keep the salad fresh.
Finish
Sprinkle shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon on top.
Chill & Serve
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1–2 hours to let flavors blend before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 400–450 kcal
- Protein: 20–25g