CILANTRO-LIME PASTA SALAD (WITH OR WITHOUT CHICKEN)

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Cilantro-Lime Pasta Salad (With or Without Chicken) image

Loaded with chunks of avocado and mango, this beautiful dish makes an excellent summer meal. But there's no need to limit it to one season because it's delicious year-round! The bright, refreshing flavors taste great hot or cold too, making this an excellent brown-bag lunch recipe. If going veggie simply omit the chicken, you'll get fewer servings without it (just so you know).

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Chicken

Time 31m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

4 ounces dried whole wheat rotini pasta
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lb skinless chicken breast half
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup finely chopped red onion (1 large)
1 medium mango, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium avocado, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup chopped yellow sweet pepper (1 medium)
3/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper (1 medium)
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
lime wedge

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
  • Meanwhile, for dressing, in a blender combine lime juice, cilantro, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Cover and blend about 30 seconds or until well mixed. Set aside.
  • Lightly coat the rack of an indoor electric grill with cooking spray. Preheat grill. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Place chicken on grill rack. If using a grill with a cover, close lid. Grill until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F). (For a covered grill, allow about 6 minutes. For an uncovered grill, allow 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling.) Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.
  • In a large bowl combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, red onion, mango, avocado, sweet peppers, and jalapeno pepper. Pour dressing over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. If desired, serve with lime wedges.

SuMyat htwe
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I made this pasta salad for my family and they loved it!


CreativeCept Branding World
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This is a great recipe! I will definitely be making it again.


Sujon Rana
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This pasta salad is perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic.


Anette Brackett
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I love the versatility of this recipe. I've made it with and without chicken, and both versions are delicious.


Haseeb Afridi
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This is a great recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal.


TheoZ_v2
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I've made this pasta salad several times now and it's always a hit!


A real Vampire
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This is a great recipe for a light and refreshing summer meal.


Murtaza Rahat
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I love the combination of the cilantro and lime in this pasta salad.


Cherrie Mandy
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This pasta salad is so easy to make and it's always a crowd-pleaser.


Mohammad Eisa
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I made this pasta salad for my family and they loved it!


london london
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This is a great recipe! I will definitely be making it again.


Mc Integrity
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This pasta salad is perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic.


Romantic J
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I love the versatility of this recipe. I've made it with and without chicken, and both versions are delicious.


anal chandra
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This is a great recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It's also a great way to use up leftover chicken.


Hidayatullah Hidayat
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I've made this pasta salad several times now and it's always a hit! It's so easy to make and it's always delicious.


Ammmu Ammu
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This pasta salad is the perfect summer dish! It's light and refreshing, and the flavors are amazing.


Victor Paluku
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I love the addition of the chicken to this pasta salad. It adds a lot of flavor and protein.


Rizwan Nimra
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This is my new favorite pasta salad recipe! It's so easy to make and it's always a crowd-pleaser.


Gina N
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I made this pasta salad for a potluck and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the flavors and the pasta was cooked perfectly.


Falmata Musaa
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This pasta salad is so flavorful, fresh, and delicious! I love the combination of the cilantro and lime, and the dressing is the perfect balance of tangy and creamy.