Vineyard Chicken and Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
45 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Vineyard Chicken and Pasta Salad
Description
The Vineyard Chicken and Pasta Salad features cooked bow tie pasta and chopped cooked chicken mixed with crisp spring greens and halved grapes. Green onions and toasted pine nuts add mild pungency and nutty crunch, respectively, while Asiago cheese shavings contribute savory depth. Fresh basil scattered on top brings herbal freshness. Tossed with a dressing of oil, rice vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and mild spices, the components meld into a bright, lightly sweet salad with varied textures and flavors.
The salad can be served immediately, combining crisp greens and juicy fruit with tender pasta and protein, making it fitting for a casual lunch or picnic. The use of rotisserie or grilled chicken and flexibility with salad ingredients allows home cooks to adapt it easily based on available items.
For best flavor, use a flavorful oil like olive oil in the dressing, and toast the pine nuts or substitute sunflower seeds for a different crunch. Cheese can be shaved from a block using a vegetable peeler to achieve thin strips. Variations such as adding cooked bacon can add savory notes. Proportions of ingredients are flexible depending on personal taste and quantity desired.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta or other favorite shape pasta
- 4 to 6 to 6 cups spring greens chopped or baby spinach
- 2 to 3 to 3 cups chicken cooked, chopped; see note
- 1 cup green grapes or red grapes, or a combo; halved
- 3 to 4 to 4 green onions or bunch of chives, finely chopped
- ½ cup pine nuts toasted or sunflower seeds
- ½ cup Asiago cheese shaved or grated; or Parmesan cheese
- ¼ to ½ to ½ cup basil torn or chopped, fresh
Dressing:
- ½ cup oil see note
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Pinch Pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in lightly salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool (toss every once in a while so it doesn't stick together).
- Whisk or blend all the dressing ingredients together until well-combined.
- Assemble the salad by placing the chopped greens in a serving bowl. Top with pasta, chicken, grapes, green onions (or chives), pine nuts (or sunflower seeds), cheese, and fresh basil.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad and lightly toss until combined. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Rotisserie or grilled chicken works well and can add extra flavor.
- Olive oil offers a more pronounced taste in the dressing, but neutral oils are suitable.
- To make cheese shavings, slice thin strips with a vegetable peeler from a block of Asiago or Parmesan cheese.
- Feel free to customize ingredient amounts or add cooked bacon to suit your preferences.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 453kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 34mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 209mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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