Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta Salad is a high-protein cold lunch with tender rotini, crisp vegetables, mozzarella, and creamy Italian dressing.
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumbers chopped
- ¾ cup red bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup pepperoncini peppers chopped
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 3 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese diced
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the Zesty Italian Dressing:
- ½ cup light Italian dressing
- ⅓ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water. Bring the water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Drain the pasta well.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, black olives, mozzarella cheese, and parsley.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the Italian dressing, Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Using a wire whisk, mix until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until the pasta, chicken, vegetables, and cheese are coated.
- Cover the bowl. Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir before serving.
Notes
Serving Size: 1½ Cups Chicken Pasta Salad
Tips and Tricks
Taste before salting - The dressing, olives, pepperoncini, and cheese already add salt.Storing
Refrigerate - Store in a covered container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving - Mix well before serving because the dressing may settle.Nutrition
Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 37gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 2403mgPotassium: 425mgFiber: 7gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1038IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 5mg
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