Chipotle Ranch Chicken And Pasta Salad Recipes

HONEY-CHIPOTLE CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Toss the pasta with the Honey-Chipotle Vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Next, add the chicken, cherry tomatoes and banana peppers. Toss it all and transfer to a pasta bowl for serving. Top with fanned-out avocado slices and garnish with the chives.
• Put the vinegar, mayo, honey, chipotle, mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic and some salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. While the machine is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is combined and emulsified. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, or add more chipotle if you want it more spicy.

CHIPOTLE RANCH CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400F. Lightly grease a baking tray with nonstick cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil. Place asparagus, mushrooms, and zucchini in a single layer. Roast the vegetables for about 15-20 minutes until tender. Other ideas for vegetables can include onions and carrots. Or, if you prefer, just throw everything on a grill. Once the vegetables are done, set them aside for now.
• Marinate the chicken in honey, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers, and salt. The longer you marinate the chicken the better. But you can just do a quick marinade and then pour the sauce into the skillet to cook with the chicken.
• Heat olive oil in a medium sized skillet for about a minute. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook over medium to high heat for about a minute or two before flipping to the other side. Cook for another minute or two. Add the rest of the marinade into the skillet and then cover tightly with a lid. Lower the heat to about medium and cook covered for about 10 minutes. Then turn off the heat, and let the chicken sit for an additional 10 minutes with the skillet still tightly covered. The heat will continue to cook the chicken and allow it to remain tender.
• Once the chicken has cooled, shred the chicken and mix in the chipotle sauce so that the chicken is covered in the sauce.
• In a medium pot, heat water and cook the pasta according to the directions on the packaging. I prefer the pasta in my salad a little softer. Drain the water. Run the pasta through cold water.
• Add the pasta, shredded chicken with all the sauce, roasted vegetables, roughly torn butter lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and ranch into a large bowl. Toss and mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
• Serve the chipotle ranch chicken pasta salad cold.

CHIPOTLE RANCH PASTA SALAD WITH A TWIST

Steps:

• 1. Let the chicken defrost just o the point of a still frozen center, this makes for easier cutting.In a large pot over med-high heat, warm oil. In a seperate pot start boiling water, 3/4 full. Chop chicken breast into a little larger than bite size pieces. Cook in oil stirring occasionally for even cooking,Chop bacon and stir into chicken until all liquids have cooked out.
• 2. After the water begins to boil add both boxes of pasta salad, cook until tender. Meanwhile, halve all tomatoes, rinse olives & black beans. Mix both dressing packets with 3/4 bottle of ranch dressing add milk if creamier dressing is desired. Chill dressing.
• 3. Strain pasta & mix with chicken and bacon in a large bowl with lid. While meat & pasta are still warm mix in dressing, olives, tomatoes & beans. Chill over night and serve as a side to any meal.