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Chicken Pasta Salad

When it comes to quick, delicious, and versatile meals, Chicken Pasta Salad is a winner. This dish combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, crunchy vegetables, and a flavorful dressing, creating a fresh and satisfying meal perfect for lunches, picnics, potlucks, or light dinners.
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Ingredients
  

For the Salad:

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast diced or shredded (grilled, baked, or rotisserie)
  • 3 cups rotini or penne pasta cooked and cooled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber sliced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup black olives sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil chopped

For the Dressing:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it for the salad.

Prepare the Chicken

  • Use grilled, baked, or rotisserie chicken.
  • Dice or shred 2 cups of chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Chop the Vegetables

  • Slice the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion.
  • Chop the parsley or basil for garnish.

Make the Dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Assemble the Salad

  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, red onion, and olives.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
  • Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

Serve and Enjoy

  • Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
  • Enjoy as a main dish, side dish, or potluck favorite.
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