Creamy Ranch Protein Pasta (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 225 g dry chickpea pasta or high-protein pasta of choice

→ Vegetables

02 - 120 g raw broccoli, chopped
03 - 120 g red bell pepper, diced
04 - 120 g cucumber, diced
05 - 1.5 cups coleslaw mix

→ Cheese & Dairy

06 - 60 ml nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese

→ Chicken

07 - 2 chicken breasts (425 g)
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 0.25 teaspoon paprika
11 - 0.25 teaspoon salt
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Dressing

13 - 180 ml plain Greek yogurt
14 - 45 ml mayonnaise (optional)
15 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
16 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the chickpea pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
02 - Season chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Grill or bake until fully cooked to an internal temperature of 74°C. Let cool, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a bowl, combine plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise (if using), Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped chicken, broccoli, diced red bell pepper, cucumber, nutritional yeast or parmesan, and coleslaw mix.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to evenly coat all ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and help cool. Adding dressing just before serving keeps salad fresh and pasta from becoming soggy.