Orange Chicken and Pasta Salad: A Delightful Picnic Favorite 🥗🍊🍗
If you’re looking for a simple yet scrumptious salad that will make your picnics truly memorable, look no further than this Orange Chicken and Pasta Salad. With its delightful combination of juicy chicken, zesty orange, and tender pasta, this dish is perfect for large gatherings or just a fun family meal. Even the pickiest eaters will find themselves coming back for seconds. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 5 cups shell pasta
- 3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 1 1/4 cups red grapes, halved
- 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 6 scallions, chopped
- 4 navel oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1 head lettuce, shredded
- 1/4 cup carrot, grated
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
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Prepare the Pasta and Chicken: Start by cooking the shell pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool. While the pasta is cooking, season and cook the chicken breasts until they are fully cooked through, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
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Mix the Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, halved red grapes, halved seedless grapes, diced English cucumber, chopped scallions, orange segments, shredded lettuce, and grated carrot.
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Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper to create the vinaigrette.
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Combine and Serve: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
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Enjoy: Serve immediately for the best flavor, or chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 193.1
- Fat Content: 5.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 1g
- Cholesterol Content: 13.9mg
- Sodium Content: 140.1mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 28.4g
- Fiber Content: 2.1g
- Sugar Content: 8.9g
- Protein Content: 8.6g
Notes:
This salad is incredibly versatile; feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. For a more substantial dish, consider adding some crumbled feta cheese or nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Enjoy your Orange Chicken and Pasta Salad at your next picnic or family gathering. It’s easy to make, deliciously fresh, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser! 🥳🌟
