Chicken Basil Pasta Salad Vinaigrette has tender chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all tossed in a maple Dijon vinaigrette. It’s perfect for easy lunches, picnics, or sharing at your next gathering.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked rotini or bowtie pasta – sub gluten-free
• 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• 3 medium cooked chicken breasts cut into small pieces or rotisserie chicken shredded
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls or a ball cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
• Dressing
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic (crushed)
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions for Chicken Basil Pasta Salad with Vinaigrette

• Boil spiral pasta according to package directions, until just al dente (still a bit firm, but not mushy), rinse in cold water, drain and place in a large bowl

• MAKE THE DRESSING

• In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and whisk together until fully combined.
• Pour into the pasta and toss until all of the pasta is coated
• Add the cheese, tomatoes, and chicken and stir together,
• Place in refrigerator until ready to eat, then add the basil and gently stir into the mixture. The longer you refrigerate the more flavors soak into the pasta.

Variations

Customize the salad ingredients to your taste!

Veggies – bell peppers, red onion, cucumber

More side dishes

Light and Easy Herbed Potato Salad (no mayo)

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Turkey Mozzarella Pasta Salad

This easy, fresh pasta salad combines tender udon noodles, turkey, bell peppers, and creamy mozzarella pearls, all tossed in a light vinaigrette.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 cups Japanese Udon Noodles
• 1 cup chopped deli turkey slices
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella not grated
• Dressing
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Optional: Pinch of Red pepper flakes

Instructions

 

• dd dry udon noodles to a large pot and boil according to package directions, rinse in cold water, drain and place in a large bowl
• Pasta Salad Dressing
• In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and whisk together until fully combined.
• Pour into the cooked pasta and toss until all of the pasta is coated
• Add the cheese, tomatoes, and chicken and stir together,
• Place in refrigerator until ready to eat. The longer you refrigerate the more flavors soak into the pasta.

Keyword pasta salad mozzarella, pasta salad mozzarella balls, pasta salad with mozarella balls, turkey pasta salad

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