Italian Chicken Pasta Salad is a hearty chilled dish with tender chicken, short pasta, fresh vegetables, mozzarella, olives, and a classic Italian-style dressing. The combination creates a colorful and satisfying salad suitable for lunches, picnics, or casual dinners.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked rotini pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup mozzarella pearls
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until just tender. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water. Allow the pasta to cool.
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Cook seasoned chicken breast in a skillet or grill pan over medium heat until fully cooked. Rest for several minutes, then dice into bite-size pieces.
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In a large bowl combine cooled pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, mozzarella, red onion, parsley, and basil.
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In a small bowl whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until blended.
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Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for improved flavor.