Liven up your kids packed lunch! Our quick and tasty lunchbox pasta salad with chicken is a delicious sub for sandwiches.
If you’re looking for some new packed lunch ideas or just fancy making something other than a sandwich then pasta salad is always a good choice. And one kids seem to really enjoy!
Our lunchbox pasta salad with chicken is super easy to make. And contains two portions of vegetables, sweet and tasty sweetcorn kernels and crunchy cucumber, which all count towards the 5-a-day goal!
Ingredients For Lunchbox Pasta Salad With Chicken
You’ll just need a handful of ingredients to make our tasty kids pasta salad. And remember this is only a guide, feel free to add in any extra ingredients your child really enjoys eating.
- 40g dried pasta shapes – just use whatever shaped pasta you have in – fusilli and penne both work well in pasta salad.
- 50g canned sweetcorn
- 6 slices of cucumber – cut into strips
- 50g cooked chicken breast – cut into strips. I buy the packs of ready cooked chicken from the supermarket. If you want to cook your own chicken they try out our baked chicken breasts in foil recipe here.
- 2 tsp pesto. – I’ve used tomato pesto, but feel free to swap it for basil pesto or any other.
Equipment Needed
- Chopping board
- Vegetable knife
- Saucepan
- Colander
- Mixing bowl
- Teaspoon
- Weighing scales (or use approximate measurements)
How To Make Kids Lunchbox Pasta Salad With Chicken
It’ll only take you around 15 minutes to make our chicken and sweetcorn pasta salad recipe
- Put the pasta into a pan of boiling water – bring the pan back to the boil and cook for around 10 minutes until the pasta is soft.
- Drain the cooked pasta in a colander then run it under a cold tap for a few minutes to cool the pasta down quickly.
- Put the pasta into a mixing bowl then add the pesto and mix it together well to coat all the pieces.
- Then tip in the chicken strips, cucumber and sweetcorn and stir through gently.
Cooks Tip! Be sure when making pasta and rice salad that you follow food hygiene guidelines – cool the rice/pasta quickly and store it at the appropriate temperature – even when packed in lunch boxes – rice needs to be stored at less than 5 degrees C.
Get loads of lunch recipes and ideas here
Make Kids Pasta Salad Recipe Your Way
Make kids lunchbox pasta salad in your own style – add in some extra ingredients or make ingredient swaps.
- Swap the chicken strips for ham or turkey.
- Skip the meat altogether and make this vegetarian. Try adding grated Cheddar or mini mozzarella balls.
- Want a creamy dressing? Then mix in 1 tsp of pesto to 1 tsp of mayonnaise.
Get lots more delicious, healthy kid friendly recipes here
Ways To Serve Lunchbox Pasta Salad With Chicken
Pasta lunch ideas for kids
- great for school lunchboxes – you can make this pasta and pack it up into boxes the night before ready to just grab and go in the morning. I usually pack a Spork in with the lunch so they can use it for the pasta and then the fruit or yogurt.
- turn the pasta salad into after school pasta snack pots. Make up a few pots and they’ll keep in the fridge for a 48 hours ready for the kids to grab when they get home from school hungry.
Get lots of fresh and healthy salad recipes here
Need Some Lunchbox Ideas For Kids?
We’ve got loads of great lunchbox ideas and recipes for kids that will help make lunchtime healthy and interesting!
- Grab our packed lunch menu plans here, there’s three to choose from including a vegetarian one.
- And get all our snack recipes and lunchbox recipes right here.
Kids Lunchbox Pasta Salad With Chicken
Healthy, tasty and easy lunchbox pasta recipe for kids
Ingredients
- 40g dried pasta shapes
- 50g canned sweetcorn
- 6 slices cucumber - cut into strips
- 50g cooked chicken breast - cut into strips
- 2 tsp pesto
Instructions
- Put the pasta into a pan of boiling water – bring the pan back to the boil and cook for around 10 minutes until the pasta is soft.
- Drain the cooked pasta in a colander then run it under a cold tap for a few minutes to cool the pasta down quickly.
- Put he pasta into a mixing bowl then add the pesto and mix it together well to coat all the pieces.
- Then tip in the chicken strips, cucumber and sweetcorn and stir through gently.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 298Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 4gSugar: 8gProtein: 23g
Nutritional content will vary depending on the exact ingredients you use and how careful you are with measuring - this nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate - you should always calculate your own nutritional information especially if you have specific dietary requirements.
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