Everything Bagel Chicken Pasta (Print)

Cold pasta tossed with chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy everything bagel spiced dressing.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced (10 oz)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 g)
09 - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (60 g)
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 2 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning, plus extra for garnish
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Add-Ins

14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or cream cheese cubes (50 g)
15 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill

# Directions:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mix cooked pasta with chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, celery, and scallions.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and everything bagel seasoning in a small bowl. Season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss gently until coated evenly.
05 - Fold in feta or cream cheese cubes and fresh dill if using.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Sprinkle additional everything bagel seasoning on top before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The everything bagel seasoning gives you that savory, slightly garlicky punch that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or last-minute gatherings.
  • It's endlessly customizable—swap proteins, add different vegetables, or adjust the dressing to your mood.
02 -
  • Don't add the cucumber until closer to serving if you're making this ahead—it releases water and can make the whole salad soggy after a few hours.
  • The everything bagel seasoning needs a moment to fully integrate into the dressing, so make the dressing first and let it sit for a few minutes before tossing with the pasta.
  • Cold salad always needs more seasoning than you think because cold dulls flavors, so taste as you go and be generous with the salt and pepper.
03 -
  • Rinse your pasta under cold water immediately after draining—this stops the cooking and prevents it from getting mushy when mixed with the dressing.
  • Always taste the dressing before adding it to the whole batch; a good dressing makes or breaks this salad, and you want it bold and balanced.
  • If the salad seems dry the next day, whisk together a tablespoon of lemon juice with a splash of water and drizzle it over the top, then toss gently to refresh it.
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