Party Chicken and Pasta Salad

 

5

cups uncooked rotini pasta (16 oz)

4

cups cubed cooked chicken

1

cup thinly sliced celery

1/2

cup chopped green onions

12

oz fresh snow pea pods, trimmed, halved crosswise

2

cups seedless red and/or green grapes, halved

1

can (8 oz) pineapple tidbits in unsweetened juice, drained, reserving liquid

1

cup slivered almonds, toasted if desired

6

to 8 leaves leaf lettuce

1

cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

2

tablespoons finely chopped fresh gingerroot

1

teaspoon garlic salt

2

tablespoons reserved pineapple liquid

2

tablespoons soy sauce

2

tablespoons honey

• 1 Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
• 2 Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix remaining salad ingredients except almonds and lettuce. In small bowl, mix dressing ingredients.
• 3 Add pasta and 1/2 cup of the almonds to salad; stir gently to mix. Add dressing; toss to coat. Line serving bowl or platter with lettuce. Spoon salad over lettuce. Sprinkle with remaining almonds.