I have been so fortunate to have made so many new friends lately that have been so helpful with my upcoming cookbook. A few weeks ago, I met Nancy Bynon, through a publisher friend of mine (thank you Sheila), and it was truly my lucky day. Nancy was one of the Editors of the “Tables of Content” cookbook for the Junior League of Birmingham. It’s an amazing cookbook-one of my all-time favorites, and many talented women of Birmingham worked hard to develop such a fabulous book. Nancy has been so wonderful to me by helping me test recipes and offering great suggestions. The night I met her, she was making a version of this recipe. It was delicious, and I told her my kids would love it. When I made it the other night, everyone was fighting over it. It is truly great and a perfect weeknight or weekend main-dish pasta salad. Thanks to all of you (you know who you are) who are have helped me out. One more month to go.
Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad
Cook Time:
12 minutes
Prep Times:
20 minutes
Yield:
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups penne pasta, cooked
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled or cooked, cut into cubes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup diced purple onion
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
Preparation:
1. Whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon, olive oil and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine pasta and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl, tossing gently. Stir in balsamic vinaigrette and basil, tossing gently. Serve immediately or chill.
I was already fretting about what to make for dinner tonight-now I know! Thanks for a great, easy dinner!
I had to give the kids a smack down to get to this.
Jon
Thanks for the fresh & light pasta salad recipe. My kids love everything pasta & it is good that this one has the chicken in it too 🙂 xo
Yummy and easy weeknight meal.Think it would be even better if had time to chill completely before serving
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, it was good several days later as I polished it off yesterday! I appreciate your comments so very much!
The bowl you served this salad in is so pretty. This pasta salad is right up my alley – full of all sorts of goodies to pump up but the flavor, but so easy to put together.
Hi Alison,
I recently started following your blog and I love it! I have referred several friends to it. I was hoping you can suggest a recipe for a main dish that freezes well. I have a friend who just had a preemie and will be going back and forth to the hospital until her daughter is big enough to go home. I wanted to drop off a dish that they could either cook right away or freeze if needed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Charlotte
This dish is a regular for my husband and kids in Paradise Valley, AZ. Nancy Bynon, a dear high school friend, shared this dish while we were having “girls’ ski week” in Telluride. Due to Nancy, I follow you on twitter and love your recipes…and retweets, too! Keep them coming!