Chicken, Spinach, and Pasta Salad

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Pasta salad isn't always a creamy concoction. Here's proof you can try at your next picnic! A vibrant mix of spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken and penne is topped with a light balsamic dressing.

Chicken, Spinach, and Pasta Salad
Photo: Jacob Fox
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
10 cups

Ingredients

  • 6 ounce dried multigrain penne pasta

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 8 ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

  • ¼ cup chopped onion

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil

  • 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • 3 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil, crushed

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 6 ounce package fresh baby spinach or spinach

  • 1 cup seeded and chopped roma tomatoes (3 medium)

  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Meanwhile, coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, mushrooms, onion, and garlic; cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.

  2. In an extra-large bowl combine cooked pasta and chicken mixture. For vinaigrette, in a small screw-top jar combine oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Cover and shake well.

  3. Pour vinaigrette over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. Add spinach, tomatoes, and cheese; toss gently to combine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

374 Calories
15g Fat
38g Carbs
22g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 374
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 371mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 38g 14%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 22g
Vitamin C 20.7mg 104%
Calcium 148mg 11%
Iron 3.2mg 18%
Potassium 437mg 9%
Folate, total 97mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.2mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.5mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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