Chicken Pasta Salad

This chicken pasta salad is the kind of salad everyone actually wants to eat! It is simple to put together yet full of different flavours and textures.

The sun-dried tomato pesto dressing combined with orange juice gives it an exceptional flavour.

The crunch of the green apples, the tenderness of the breaded chicken, the softness of the pasta: every texture plays off the others.

One detail that changes everything: let the pasta cool completely in the colander before assembling, otherwise it wilts the rocket and cooks the apples.

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What you need to make this chicken pasta salad:

Chicken — breaded then pan-fried, it turns this salad into a complete meal packed with protein.
Breading — the breadcrumbs, egg and chicken seasoning give it that crisp outside while keeping it tender inside.
Olive oil — it does double duty: searing the chicken in the pan, then forming the base of the dressing.
Orange juice — the dressing's signature ingredient, it gives it a sweet, tangy edge that sets it apart from classic dressings.
Sun-dried tomato pesto — it adds body and an intense umami flavour to the dressing.
Wholegrain mustard — it binds the dressing and gives it a little kick.
Parsley — fresh and chopped, it lightens the dressing with a herbaceous note.
Salt and pepper — to season the dressing to taste.
Rotini pasta — its spiral shape holds onto the dressing in every bite.
Green apples — thinly sliced at the last minute, they bring all the crunch to the salad.
Mandarins and pomegranate — two sweet, juicy touches that brighten every bite.
Cherry tomatoes, rocket and red onion — the trio that adds freshness, bite and a little greenery to the whole thing.

Why this chicken pasta salad must be on your menu!

Great for packed lunches: it is substantial and travels very well, just as at home in the kids' lunch box as in a work bag.
Nothing shifts, nothing leaks.
Can be made ahead: the dressing comes together in minutes and keeps for several days in the fridge.
Ideal for a meal prepped the night before.
A complete meal in a bowl: chicken for protein, pasta for staying power, apples, mandarins and pomegranate for freshness.
Enough to satisfy the whole family.
Flavours that stand out: the sun-dried tomato pesto and orange juice make a dressing quite different from the classics.

Chicken Pasta Salad

Cold rotini, breaded chicken, a sun-dried tomato pesto and orange juice dressing, with green apples, mandarins, pomegranate and rocket.

Prep 30 min

Cook 15 min

Total time 45 min

Course: Main course Cuisine: Italian Keyword: Chicken pasta salad Calories:

Ingredients

Servings: 6 servings

Instructions

The chicken — In a large shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs with the chicken seasoning. In a second dish, beat the egg.
Dip the chicken fillets one by one in the egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture.
In a hot, oiled non-stick pan, cook the chicken fillets. Set aside.
The dressing — In a bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until you have a smooth paste.
The pasta — In a pan of boiling water, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and leave to cool in the colander. Set aside.
Halve the cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice the half red onion and the green apples. Drain the mandarins.
Assembly — In a large salad bowl, tip in the cold pasta. Add all the remaining salad ingredients.
Pour over the dressing and mix well, so that everything is coated.
Add the breaded chicken fillets and serve.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tips

Let the pasta cool completely in the colander before assembling: still hot, it would wilt the rocket.
Slice the green apples at the last moment so they keep their crunch.
Travels very well for packed lunches, at school or at work.
The dressing can be made ahead and keeps for a few days in the fridge.

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