Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad Is a Perfect-for-Summer Take on

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. oil from sun-dried tomatoes

2 Tbsp. double concentrated tomato paste

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

½ c. loosely packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, grated

½ tsp. paprika

¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets

1 (20 oz.) pkg refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini (or 2, 10 oz. pkgs)

1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces

1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved

½ c. oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces

Basil leaves, Crushed red pepper flakes and rated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Directions

Steps to Make It

Combine the first 9 ingredients (through salt & pepper) in a pint jar with a lid. Shake until completely mixed.

Place chicken in a 1-gal resealable bag. Pour marinade over chicken, seal bag, and turn bag over a few times to coat chicken. Place the bag in a shallow baking dish and chill to marinate for up to 1 hour.

Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade. Grill chicken over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes (or until cooked through to 165°F). Turn halfway through grilling. Remove chicken from grill and allow to rest at room temperature until cool enough to handle (about 15 minutes).

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chill until ready to make salad.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add asparagus. Drain and rinse pasta mixture with cold water until pasta is cool to the touch. Transfer to a large bowl.

Add sun-dried tomatoes, tomatoes, and Creamy Tomato Basil Dressing dressing to the cooled pasta mixture.

Stir in cooked and chilled chicken. Garnish with basil leaves, crushed red pepper, and additional grated Parmesan. Serve immediately at room temperature.

Creamy Tomato Basil Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the first 10 ingredients (through paprika), until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill until ready to assemble salad. (The dressing will thicken as it chills, add additional cream, as needed.) Makes 1 3/4 cups.

Nutrition

• Calories: 754 kcal
• Total Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 151 mg
• Sodium: 871 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 6 g
• Protein: 42 g