Chicken and Pasta Salad
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 288.9 per serving
Welcome to Love With Recipes, where we share delicious and easy recipes that you can whip up in no time. Today, we bring you a delightful Chicken and Pasta Salad that is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. This recipe combines tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing to create a refreshing and satisfying meal. Let’s dive into this simple yet tasty recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 1/2 cups cucumbers, diced
- 1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cooked pasta
- 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 288.9
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Cholesterol: 82.1mg
- Sodium: 272.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 15.5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4.3g
- Protein: 31.1g
Instructions:
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Prepare the Vegetables and Dressing:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, green peas, finely chopped onion, light mayonnaise, plain fat-free yogurt, mustard, salt, celery seed, and black pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy.
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Combine with Chicken and Pasta:
- Add the cooked and chopped chicken and the cooked pasta to the bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Gently mix until the chicken and pasta are evenly coated with the dressing and all the ingredients are well distributed.
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Chill and Serve:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for about 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Once chilled, give the salad a final stir and serve.
Tips and Variations:
- Add a Splash of Color: For added color and nutrition, consider tossing in some cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or shredded carrots.
- Herb It Up: Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro can add a burst of fresh flavor to the salad.
- Protein Swap: If you prefer, you can substitute the chicken with cooked turkey or even shrimp for a different twist.
- Whole Grain Option: Use whole grain pasta to increase the fiber content and make the salad even healthier.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This Chicken and Pasta Salad is not only quick and easy to make but also incredibly versatile. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish that you can store in the fridge for a couple of days, making it ideal for meal prep. The combination of creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and tender chicken creates a satisfying texture that will make this salad a favorite in your household. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or pasta!
We hope you enjoy this Chicken and Pasta Salad as much as we do! For more delicious and easy recipes, visit us at Love With Recipes. Don’t forget to share your culinary creations with us using #LoveWithRecipes. Happy cooking! 🥗🍗🍝
