Chicken Pasta Salad
A light and refreshing pasta salad perfect for a kidney-friendly lunch. Tender boiled chicken and pasta are tossed with crisp cucumber, fresh herbs, and a simple lemon-olive oil vinaigrette.
For 2 servings
Cook the chicken.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the cubed chicken breast and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain the chicken well, discarding all the cooking water, and set aside to cool.
TIPBoiling the chicken and discarding the water is a key step to reduce its potassium and phosphorus content for a kidney-friendly diet.Cook the pasta.
In a separate pot, bring the remaining 4 cups of water and a pinch of salt to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Prepare the vegetables and herbs.
While the pasta and chicken are cooking, peel, seed, and dice the cucumber. Finely chop the red onion, fresh parsley, and fresh basil.
Make the vinaigrette.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and black pepper until well combined.
Combine the salad.
- In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, boiled chicken, diced cucumber, and chopped red onion.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the salad.
- Add the chopped fresh parsley and basil.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Serve immediately.
Divide the salad into two portions and serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for a colder salad.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Rinsing the pasta with cold water not only cools it down but also removes excess starch, preventing it from clumping together.
- 2For best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh herbs.
- 3You can make this salad ahead of time. Store the vinaigrette separately and toss just before serving to keep the cucumber crisp.
- 4Ensure the cucumber is peeled and seeded to reduce its potassium content further.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Kidney-Friendly
Specifically designed with controlled portions of protein, and techniques to lower potassium and phosphorus, making it suitable for certain stages of chronic kidney disease.
Low in Sodium
Uses fresh ingredients and herbs for flavor instead of salt, which helps in managing blood pressure and fluid balance.
Source of Lean Protein
Chicken breast provides high-quality lean protein, essential for muscle maintenance and repair, in a portion size appropriate for a renal diet.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this version is designed to be healthy, particularly for those on a kidney-friendly diet. It's low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, and provides a balanced amount of protein and carbohydrates. The dressing uses heart-healthy olive oil.