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chicken pasta salad

chicken pasta salad
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Ingredients

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  • 16 oz Rotini or Bowtie pasta
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 cup Italian vinaigrette or creamy Caesar dressing
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Boil the Pasta

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an “al dente” texture. Do not overcook the pasta, as it will soften further once it absorbs the dressing. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This prevents the noodles from sticking together.

  2. Step 2: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables

    While the pasta boils, prepare your mix-ins. If you are using fresh chicken breast, grill or sauté it until fully cooked, then let it rest before dicing. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Chop the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper into uniform sizes so you get a bit of everything in every bite.

  3. Step 3: Combine and Dress

    In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, and all the chopped vegetables. Pour your chosen dressing over the top. Use a large spoon or spatula to toss everything gently until every piece of pasta and chicken is well-coated. Fold in the crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley at the end to keep them from breaking down too much.

  4. Step 4: Chill and Serve

    Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the pasta to soak up the flavors of the dressing. Give it one final toss before plating to redistribute the dressing that may have settled at the bottom.

Find it online: https://www.stovecooking.com/dinner/chicken-pasta-salad/