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Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
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★★★★★

4.7 from 28 reviews

This Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for warm weather gatherings or a wholesome weeknight dinner. Tender grilled chicken and charred vegetables are combined with whole grain penne pasta and tossed in a zesty homemade balsamic vinaigrette, garnished with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese for a vibrant and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Vegetables

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 red bell peppers, stemmed and halved
  • 4 green onions
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • ¾ lb whole grain penne pasta

Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup + 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup olive oil, plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley

Herbs and Garnish

  • ½ cup basil leaves, roughly torn
  • Grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Optional Substitutions

  • For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta.
  • For a dairy-free version, omit the parmesan cheese.
  • For added protein, swap chicken with grilled tofu or shrimp.

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Grill: Heat your grill over high heat. While it’s heating up, coat the chicken breasts, red bell peppers, and green onions in olive oil. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  2. Grill the Chicken and Vegetables: Grill the chicken breasts and red bell peppers, covered, for about 6 minutes on each side, or until they are slightly charred and fully cooked through. Grill the green onions for approximately 3 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer everything to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole grain penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  4. Slice and Chop: Thinly slice the rested chicken breasts against the grain. Roughly chop the grilled red bell peppers and slice the grilled green onions into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Prepare the Balsamic Vinaigrette: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies. Stir in the chopped parsley, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Toss the Pasta and Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta to the vinaigrette and toss to coat well. Let the pasta sit in the dressing for about 5 minutes to absorb the flavors. Then add the sliced chicken, grilled peppers, green onions, and torn basil leaves. Toss everything together thoroughly and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the pasta salad warm or chilled. Garnish generously with grated parmesan cheese and an extra sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy your delicious and healthy grilled chicken pasta salad!

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs like basil and parsley for a vibrant flavor boost.
  • Allow a good char on the grilled vegetables to add smoky depth to the dish.
  • Letting the pasta sit in the vinaigrette for several minutes enhances flavor absorption.
  • For gluten-free diets, substitute with gluten-free pasta.
  • Omit parmesan cheese to make the salad dairy-free.
  • Alternative proteins like grilled tofu or shrimp work well for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken pasta salad, balsamic vinaigrette, whole grain pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, grilled vegetables, easy summer salad

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/grilled-chicken-pasta-salad-with-balsamic-vinaigrette/