Craving a pasta salad that'll make your taste buds dance and your summer gatherings unforgettable? Get ready to discover the ultimate Mint Basil Chicken Pasta Salad - a refreshing, flavor-packed dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece! This Italian-inspired recipe is not just a meal; it's a cool, zesty adventure that combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and a tangy dressing that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Pasta of choice
- Cooked chicken, shredded
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh basil leaves
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
- If using uncooked chicken, season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear until fully cooked, then let cool and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Wash and pat dry the fresh mint and basil leaves. Roughly chop the herbs, reserving a few whole leaves for garnish.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, ensuring they are clean and dry.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, chopped herbs, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Create the dressing by whisking together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
- Before serving, garnish with reserved whole herb leaves and adjust seasoning if needed.
Tips
- For the most vibrant flavor, use fresh herbs straight from the garden or farmer's market. The difference in taste is remarkable!
- Choose a short pasta like rotini or penne that can hold the dressing well and mix easily with other ingredients.
- To save time, use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch.
- Allow the pasta salad to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving - this helps the flavors meld beautifully.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute part of the olive oil with Greek yogurt in the dressing.
- If you're meal prepping, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.
- Feel free to customize by adding feta cheese, olives, or pine nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 491kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 34g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 70mg
