Save I threw this together on a humid Saturday when the kitchen felt too hot for anything serious. The everything bagel seasoning was sitting in my spice drawer, and I had leftover chicken that needed using. What started as a clean-out-the-fridge moment turned into something I now make on purpose. The seasoning does all the heavy lifting, giving plain pasta salad that salty, garlicky crunch you can't stop eating.
My neighbor tasted this at a backyard thing last summer and asked if I'd catered it. I laughed because I'd made it in under 40 minutes while still in my pajamas. She now requests it for every potluck, and I never tell her how stupidly easy it is. Some recipes earn their reputation just by showing up cold, creamy, and completely reliable.
Ingredients
- Short pasta (250 g): Rotini or penne grab the dressing in their ridges, and rinsing them cold stops that gummy texture no one wants.
- Cooked chicken breasts (300 g): Rotisserie chicken is my weeknight shortcut, shredded by hand so it stays tender and pulls in all that creamy coating.
- Cherry tomatoes (1 cup): Halved tomatoes add bright bursts of juice that cut through the richness without making things watery.
- Cucumber (1/2 cup): Diced small, cucumber gives a clean crunch that keeps each bite from feeling too heavy.
- Red onion (1/4 cup): A little sharpness wakes everything up, but don't overdo it or it'll take over the bowl.
- Celery (1/2 cup): Thin slices add that crisp, vegetal snap I didn't know I needed until I forgot it once.
- Scallions (1/4 cup): Thinly sliced scallions bring a mild onion flavor that feels fresher and less aggressive than raw bulb onion.
- Mayonnaise (120 g): This is what makes the dressing cling and coat, giving the salad that luscious, creamy body.
- Greek yogurt (60 g): It lightens the mayo and adds a subtle tang that keeps things from feeling too rich.
- Lemon juice (1 tbsp): Just enough acid to brighten the whole thing without making it taste like salad dressing from a bottle.
- Dijon mustard (2 tsp): A little sharpness and depth that pulls all the flavors together without announcing itself.
- Everything bagel seasoning (1 tbsp): This is the star, the reason the recipe works, the thing that makes people ask what you did differently.
- Feta or cream cheese (50 g, optional): Crumbled feta adds salty pops, cream cheese makes it richer and almost indulgent.
- Fresh dill (1 tbsp, optional): If you have it, dill brings a grassy freshness that feels like summer even in March.
Instructions
- Cook and cool the pasta:
- Boil the pasta in well-salted water until it still has a little bite, then drain and rinse it under cold water until it's completely cool. This stops the cooking and keeps the pasta from turning mushy when it sits in the dressing.
- Combine the base:
- Toss the pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, celery, and scallions together in a big bowl. Everything should look colorful and evenly mixed before the dressing goes in.
- Make the dressing:
- Whisk together the mayo, yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, and everything bagel seasoning until smooth and creamy. Taste it and adjust the salt and pepper, remembering the seasoning already brings plenty of flavor.
- Dress the salad:
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until every piece is coated. Use a light hand at first, you can always add more but you can't take it back.
- Fold in extras:
- If you're using feta, cream cheese, or dill, gently fold them in now so they stay in chunky, distinct pockets instead of disappearing into the dressing.
- Chill and meld:
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The flavors need time to settle in and become friends, and the salad tastes noticeably better after a rest.
- Garnish and serve:
- Right before serving, sprinkle a little extra everything bagel seasoning on top. It adds visual appeal and a fresh hit of that toasty, garlicky crunch.
Save I brought this to a picnic once and watched three people go back for seconds before I'd even finished my first serving. One of them asked if I'd made the seasoning myself. I just smiled and let them think I was more impressive than I actually am. Sometimes the best cooking is just knowing which shortcut to take.
Make It Your Own
Swap the chicken for canned tuna or chickpeas if you want something different, and add chopped avocado right before serving for extra creaminess. I've also stirred in halved grapes when I had them around, and the sweet-savory thing was surprisingly good. If you're feeding someone who can't do gluten, use your favorite gluten-free pasta and don't change anything else.
Storing and Meal Prep
This salad keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, getting better as it sits. I portion it into individual containers on Sunday and grab one for lunch all week without thinking twice. If you're making it ahead for a party, hold off on the extra seasoning garnish until just before serving so it stays crunchy and doesn't get soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it cold straight from the fridge alongside grilled vegetables, a simple green salad, or even just crackers and cheese. I like it with a chilled white wine or sparkling water with a fat lemon wedge, something clean that doesn't fight with all the flavors already happening. It's sturdy enough to sit out at a buffet for a little while without wilting, which makes it a reliable bring-along dish.
- Pair it with iced tea, lemonade, or a crisp sauvignon blanc.
- Serve it on a bed of greens for a lighter, more salad-forward presentation.
- Pack it in a mason jar for a portable, Instagram-worthy lunch that actually tastes good.
Save This is the kind of recipe that makes you look competent without trying too hard. Make it once and you'll understand why it's worth keeping everything bagel seasoning in your pantry at all times.
Recipe FAQs
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Short twisted pastas like rotini, penne, or fusilli hold the dressing well and provide good texture contrast.
- → Can I use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken?
Yes, shredded leftover or rotisserie chicken is ideal to save time and maintain moisture in the salad.
- → How should the pasta be prepared for best results?
Cook pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking, ensuring the salad remains fresh and firm.
- → What does everything bagel seasoning add to the dish?
It provides a savory blend of sesame, poppy seeds, onion, garlic, and salt, giving a crunchy, flavorful punch that complements creamy and fresh ingredients.
- → Is it possible to make this dish lighter or dairy-free?
Substitute mayonnaise fully with Greek yogurt for a lighter version. For dairy-free, replace yogurt and feta with plant-based alternatives.