Chicken Rigatoni Pasta Salad Recipes

CHICKEN RIGATONI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil 4 quarts of water. Add rigatoni to boiling water. Bring back to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 ½ minutes. Remove from water and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, prepare all the vegetables and toss together in a large bowl with salt and pepper.
• Cut each cooled rigatoni into 5 pieces. Add to the large bowl and toss.
• In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Dress the salad to your liking.
• Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 Cup. Calories: 360. Calories from Fat: 220. Total Fat: 24g. Saturated Fat: 5g. Trans Fat: 0g. Cholestrol: 40mg. Sodium: 560mg. Total Carbohydrate: 23g. Dietary Fiber: 2g. Sugars: 4g. Protein: 10g.

RIGATONI WITH CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and put the rigatoni into it. Cook until al dente (tender firm).
• Heat a large skillet until very hot and then generously drizzle in some olive oil. Swirl to coat the skillet, and then add half of the cut-up chicken pieces, spreading them out as you put them in. NOTE: Do not begin stirring the chicken immediately as you want to get them nice and brown. After a minute or two, flip over the chicken with a spatula and let brown on the other side. Remove to a plate and set aside. Repeat with the second half of the chicken pieces.
• Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil, if needed, into the hot skillet and throw in the garlic and chopped onions and give them a stir. Now add the chicken broth (or wine), whisking to deglaze the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the liquid reduces by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of sugar. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the chicken (and don't forget all of those yummy chicken juices on the plate) to the tomato/onion mixture and continue simmering for another 15 minutes. Toward the end of the cooking process, chop up your fresh basil and add it to the sauce, stirring to combine.
• Put the pasta on a platter or in a large bowl and smother with the sauce. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the pasta, chicken, oil and garlic powder. Cover and chill. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salad dressing, mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper; cover and chill. Just before serving, add the red pepper, tomato, carrot and dressing to pasta mixture; gently toss to coat.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD (LOW GI, LOWFAT)

Steps:

• Combine the dried tomatoes and water in a small pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and the liquid is absorbed. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cool water and drain again.
• Put the cooked pasta in a medium sized bowl. Add the tomatoes, chicken, artichoke hearts, olive and scallions; toss to mix well. Pour 1/4 cup of the dressing over pasta mixture, and toss to mix well. Cover the pasta mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• When ready to serve, place the romaine in a large bowl and add the pasta mixture, the remaining dressing, and, if desired, the walnuts. Toss to mix well. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss again. Serve immediately.

RIGATONI WITH CHICKEN BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken, onions and garlic; cook 6 to 7 min. or until chicken is done, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes, carrots and Italian seasoning; mix well. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Partially cover skillet; simmer chicken mixture on medium-low heat 20 min., stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Add cream cheese spread to chicken mixture; cook and stir 2 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and sauce is well blended. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley.
• Drain pasta. Serve topped with chicken mixture and Parmesan.

MANDARIN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, whisk together the ginger root, rice vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix, sugar, and garlic until well blended. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, and rinse under cold water. Place pasta in a large bowl.
• To make the salad, toss the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, carrot, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken, and almonds with the pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture, and toss again to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

EASY CHICKEN RIGATONI

Steps:

• Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 to 6 min. or until no longer pink. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 1 min. Add red peppers and mushrooms; cook 5 min., stirring frequently. Stir in pasta sauce and black pepper; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min., stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Add cream cheese, basil and olives to chicken mixture; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and sauce is well blended. Drain pasta. Add to pasta sauce mixture; stir until evenly coated.