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Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad

This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad features juicy chicken, rigatoni, sweet tomatoes, and a punchy red wine vinaigrette.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Entree or Side Dish, Entree/Poultry, Entree/Salad
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 6 servings
Calories 443.4 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • colander
  • small bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 454g
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • teaspoon black pepper

For the Salad

  • 12 ounces rigatoni 340g
  • sea salt for boiling water
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup sliced roasted red peppers
  • cup kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 2 tablespoons capers drained
  • 1 cup arugula
  • ½ cup fresh basil roughly chopped or torn
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Cook the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before dicing it into bite-sized pieces.
  • Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt the boiling water, then add the pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain in a colander. Add the pasta to a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool briefly.
  • Make the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
  • Combine and serve. To the bowl with the pasta, add the tomatoes, roasted red peppers, olives, and capers and toss. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. If serving immediately, add the arugula and basil, and toss to combine. If making it ahead, reserve the arugula and basil to sprinkle over individual servings when ready to eat.

Notes

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 443.4kcalCarbohydrates: 46.6gProtein: 25.7gFat: 16.7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10.1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1021.9mgPotassium: 588.7mgFiber: 3.4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 764.1IUVitamin C: 14.3mgCalcium: 90.1mgIron: 1.8mg
Keyword chicken salad, Easy Recipes, healthy meals, Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad, Mediterranean cuisine, pasta salad
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