Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad

🥗🍗🫒 Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad 🥗🍗🫒

What is it?
Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad is a delightful and refreshing salad that combines tender strands of angel hair pasta, grilled chicken, and a medley of olives with a zesty Mediterranean-inspired dressing. This dish offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for a light yet satisfying meal.

History:
The exact origin of Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad is not well-documented, but it draws inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine, which is known for its fresh and vibrant ingredients. The combination of pasta, grilled chicken, and olives reflects the influence of Mediterranean flavors in contemporary culinary creations.

Components:
To prepare Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad, you’ll need the following components:

1. Angel Hair Pasta: This thin pasta variety cooks quickly and provides a delicate texture to the salad.

2. Grilled Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are typically used. They are seasoned and grilled to perfection before being added to the salad.

3. Olives: A mix of green and black olives add a briny and savory element to the salad. You can use pitted and sliced olives for convenience.

4. Fresh Vegetables: Ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion are often included for freshness and crunch.

5. Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy and tangy dimension to the salad.

6. Dressing: The dressing usually consists of olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. It brings all the flavors together with a Mediterranean flair.

Steps to Prepare:
Here are the steps to prepare Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad:

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil a pot of water, add a pinch of salt, and cook the angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

2. Grill the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Grill them until fully cooked, then slice them into strips.

3. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasonings to taste.

4. Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grilled chicken, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.

5. Add the Dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss everything gently to ensure even coating with the dressing.

6. Serve: Plate the salad and garnish with additional feta cheese and a sprinkle of fresh oregano or basil if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Time Needed:
The preparation and cooking time for Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad can vary but is usually around 30-40 minutes. This includes cooking the pasta, grilling the chicken, and assembling the salad. It’s a relatively quick and easy dish to make, perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner or a refreshing lunch.

🕒 Bon appétit! Enjoy your Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad! 🕒🥗🍗🫒

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Angel Hair Chicken-Olive Salad:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values per Serving):

• Calories: 350-400 calories
• Protein: 20-25 grams
• Carbohydrates: 25-30 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 3-4 grams
• Sugars: 3-4 grams
• Fat: 18-20 grams
• Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
• Cholesterol: 50-60 milligrams
• Sodium: 500-600 milligrams
• Vitamin C: 20-25% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Calcium: 10-15% of DV
• Iron: 15-20% of DV

Health Information:

1. Protein: The grilled chicken in this salad provides a good source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall health.

2. Carbohydrates: The angel hair pasta and vegetables offer carbohydrates for energy. This salad contains complex carbohydrates and fiber, promoting steady blood sugar levels.

3. Fiber: The fiber from pasta, vegetables, and olives can support digestion and help you feel full longer.

4. Healthy Fats: Olive oil and the natural fats in olives are sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

5. Vitamins and Minerals: This salad is rich in vitamins like vitamin C from vegetables and lemon juice, which supports the immune system. Calcium and iron from ingredients like cheese and chicken are important for bone health and oxygen transport in the blood.

6. Sodium: Be mindful of the sodium content, especially if you have dietary restrictions. You can reduce the sodium by using low-sodium olives and seasoning sparingly.

7. Customization: You can customize the salad to suit your dietary needs by using whole wheat pasta for more fiber or opting for a low-fat dressing.

Remember that specific nutritional values may vary based on portion sizes and ingredient choices, so it’s a good idea to check product labels and use a nutrition calculator for precise values if you have specific dietary concerns or goals. Additionally, this salad can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation, providing a mix of nutrients and flavors.