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Fresh Pasta Salad for Easter
Fresh pasta salad is a delightful dish that many families enjoy during Easter celebrations. Here are some ideas and tips for making a delicious fresh pasta salad:
Serving Suggestions
Serve the fresh pasta salad as a side dish or a main course. It pairs well with grilled meats or can be enjoyed on its own for a light meal.
Variations
Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
Incorporate seasonal vegetables like asparagus or artichokes.
Experiment with different dressings, such as pesto or vinaigrette.
Enjoy your fresh pasta salad this Easter!
Garden Pasta with Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
340G garden pasta
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 avocados diced
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
1 Cup halved cherry tomatoes
½ cup fresh basil; chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Ingredients for Dressing
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Begin by salting your water generously, as this is crucial for enhancing the flavor of the pasta. Bring the water to a rolling boil, which indicates that it has reached the right temperature for cooking. Once boiling, add your pasta of choice and cook it according to the package instructions, ensuring that you achieve the perfect al dente texture. This step can be conveniently done a day in advance, allowing the pasta to cool and be stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the salad.
Next, take your cooked chicken breast and shred it into bite-sized pieces. If chicken breast is not available, feel free to use any other cut of chicken you have on hand, such as thighs or even rotisserie chicken for added flavor. Aim for approximately 2 cups of shredded chicken, as this will provide a hearty protein component to your salad, making it filling and nutritious.
In a large mixing bowl, add the freshly shredded chicken along with the cooked pasta. To this mixture, incorporate diced onion, creamy avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and fragrant fresh basil leaves. The combination of these ingredients not only adds vibrant colors to your salad but also a variety of textures and flavors that will delight your palate. Gently combine all the ingredients, ensuring that the avocado and tomatoes are evenly distributed throughout the pasta and chicken.
For the dressing, take a clean jar with a lid and add the necessary ingredients: vinegar, Italian seasoning, high-quality olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Secure the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously until all the components are well blended and emulsified. This homemade dressing will enhance the overall flavor of your chicken pasta salad, providing a zesty and aromatic finish that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Finally, drizzle your prepared chicken pasta salad generously with the dressing you just made. Using a large spoon or spatula, toss the salad gently yet thoroughly until all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing. This step is important to ensure that every bite is bursting with flavor. Once combined, your chicken pasta salad is ready to be served, either immediately or after allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for a brief period, which can enhance the flavors even further.
Serve the chicken pasta salad immediately or chill for later.
