Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• Grilled chicken breast 6 oz
• Whole wheat pasta 1.5 cups
• Cherry tomatoes 1 cup
• Cucumber 0.5 cup
• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Lemon juice 1 tbsp

Method

1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 9-12 minutes, until al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
   Tip: Taste a piece a minute before the suggested time to avoid overcooking.
2. Drain and cool pasta. Once cooked, pour the pasta into a colander to drain the water. Rinse the pasta under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down, which helps when making a salad.
   Tip: Rinsing also removes excess starch, preventing the pasta from sticking together.
3. Prepare vegetables. Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in halves. Peel the cucumber if desired, then dice it into small bite-sized pieces. Place the vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
   Tip: Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and a crisp cucumber for freshness.
4. Slice the grilled chicken. If not already sliced, cut the grilled chicken breast into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken to the mixing bowl with the vegetables.
   Tip: Make sure the chicken is fully cooked and cooled to room temperature for best salad texture.
5. Combine pasta with ingredients. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl containing chicken and vegetables. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the mixture.
   Tip: Use fresh lemon juice for bright flavor; bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch but may be less vibrant.
6. Mix salad gently. Using two large spoons or salad tongs, gently toss all ingredients together until evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to mash the tomatoes or pasta.
   Tip: Toss gently to keep the salad fresh and visually appealing.
7. Serve or chill. Serve the pasta salad immediately or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. This salad is delicious served cold or at room temperature.
   Tip: If chilling, stir the salad once more before serving.

Pro tips

• Cook pasta al dente for best texture in salads.
• Rinse pasta with cold water to cool and prevent sticking.
• Use fresh lemon juice for a bright, natural flavor.
• Chill the salad to enhance flavor melding before serving.