Lemon-Basil Chicken-Pasta Salad

Enjoy this zesty chicken and pasta salad stir in garlic, basil and cheese – a wonderful dinner!

Prep Time

Minutes

Total Time

1:25

Hr:Mins

Makes

servings

1/2

teaspoon salt (for cooking pasta), if desired

cups uncooked rotini or rotelle (spiral) pasta (6 oz)

asparagus stalks (about 8 oz)

clove garlic or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

oz cooked chicken or turkey

1/2

cup fresh basil leaves

1/2

cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz)

1/4

cup olive or vegetable oil

tablespoon grated lemon peel

Fill a 4-quart Dutch oven about half full of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt if desired. Cover with lid; heat over high heat until water is boiling rapidly. Add the pasta. Heat to boiling again. Boil uncovered 9 to 11 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender but not mushy. While water is heating and pasta is cooking, continue with recipe.
Break off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus stalks where they snap easily; wash asparagus. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces to measure 2 cups. Add asparagus to the pasta during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
Peel and finely chop the garlic. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes to measure about 2 cups. Tear the basil leaves lengthwise into narrow strips.
Place strainer or colander in the sink. Pour pasta and asparagus in the strainer to drain. Rinse with cold water; drain.
In a large glass or plastic bowl, toss pasta, asparagus and chicken. Stir in garlic, basil, cheese, oil and lemon peel. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

Makes 4 servings

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker^® Kitchens

Substitution

Substitute ham for the chicken and shredded Swiss cheese for the Parmesan cheese.

Success

Cut edges of basil leaves turn black very quickly which is fine when adding to a sauce or mixture. Carefully tear the basil leaves just before adding to this salad to prevent the edges from darkening as quickly.

Rub the lemon peel over the small holes of a grater. Grate only the yellow peel because the white part (pith) is bitter.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving (1 Serving)

Calories 440

(Calories from Fat 190),

Total Fat 21g

(Saturated Fat 5g,
Trans Fat 0g),

Cholesterol 45mg;
Sodium 250mg;
Total Carbohydrate 39g

(Dietary Fiber 3g,
Sugars 1g),

Protein 24g;

Percent Daily Value*:

Exchanges:

2 Starch;
0 Fruit;
0 Other Carbohydrate;
0 Skim Milk;
0 Low-Fat Milk;
0 Milk;
1 Vegetable;
0 Very Lean Meat;
2 1/2 Lean Meat;
0 High-Fat Meat;
2 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choices:

2 1/2;

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Lemon-Basil Chicken-Pasta Salad

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker^® Kitchens