This dish was inspired by a trip to Costco. I saw something similar in the refrigerated section, but I knew I could make three times the amount for cheaper. And healthier to boot. So I did.
I recommend using my no-fuss homemade dressing to give it a fresh taste. It beats store-bought dressing, and you can make extra dry mix and save it in the cupboard for later. Plus you can leave all those pesky chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and gelatins behind for one meal!
You can use any Penne you want, but Barilla Penne multigrain “Plus” is a great choice because it includes extra fiber, Omega-3, and 17g of protein per portion—to say nothing of the whole grains. If you want to feel good about eating a pasta salad, this is a great way to go!
Zesty Chicken Penne Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 (14.5 oz) box Barilla Plus multigrain penne pasta cooked al dente
- 1 small rotisserie cooked chicken
- 1 can black olives, sliced in quarters lengthwise
- 5 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 English cucumber cubed
- 2 cups mozzarella cubed
- 2 cups Italian dressing
Instructions
- Pull chicken meat into bite-sized strips.
- Drain and cool the pasta (run cold water over it).
- Gently fold cooled pasta and salad ingredients together while pouring dressing over the top. Completely coat the salad.
- Store in fridge for 1 hour to chill.
Notes
English cucumber has a thin skin, mild taste, and few, if any, seeds. But any cucumber will do. You can also substitute cherry tomatoes for the Roma.
If you want to make this a vegetarian or vegan dish, simply omit the chicken and mozzarella. It's still delicious!
If you want to make this a vegetarian or vegan dish, simply omit the chicken and mozzarella. It's still delicious!
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