Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with Spinach Salad with Chicken, Pistachios, and Tortellini. This vibrant and wholesome dish combines the refreshing crunch of spinach, tender chicken, nutty pistachios, plump tortellini, and a tangy dressing, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. The salad offers a delightful balance of protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, making it a perfect meal for health-conscious individuals. The accompanying recipes in this article provide variations to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes, including a vegetarian option and a gluten-free alternative. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure with this versatile and delectable salad.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
CHICKEN TORTELLINI SALAD RECIPE
This pasta salad with chicken and fresh vegetables makes a quick and delicious summer dinner and an even better lunch for the next day. Get a jump on meal planning and prep this recipe a day in advance. Make and refrigerate the basil vinaigrette (shake it well before dressing the salad). Mix the tortellini, shredded rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, black-eyed peas, and corn in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve the salad, dress the tortellini mixture with the dressing, stir in arugula, and top with toasted pecans. Get in the habit of toasting nuts every time you use them; toasting adds a depth of flavor and a wonderful aroma, as well as improving the texture of nuts so they stay crisp on top of salads or baked into breads and cookies. Toast several cups of nuts at one time, store in freezer-safe containers in the freezer, then pull out the amount you need when cooking. This salad recipe works well with whatever vegetables you have in your refrigerator or garden. Zucchini and yellow squash, bell peppers, heirloom tomatoes, and blanched snow peas are delicious dressed with the basil vinaigrette; just use your imagination. If arugula isn't available, use baby spinach leaves, instead. Keep a bottle of the basil vinaigrette in the refrigerator this summer and, along with dressing your favorite greens use it over grilled chicken and fish.
Provided by Pam Lolley
Categories Healthy and Light
Time 20m
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the kosher salt in a small bowl until combined. Gradually add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until smooth. Stir in basil, and set aside.
- Gently toss together cooked tortellini, chicken, tomatoes, peas, corn, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl. Gently stir in basil vinaigrette and fold in arugula. Sprinkle with pecans.
CHICKEN AND TORTELLINI SALAD
A simple Mediterranean-inspired Chicken and Tortellini Salad is the recipe of the season! This crowd-pleasing dish is a great make-ahead dinner, an easy contribution to your next potluck, and a packable solution for picnics or travel.
Provided by Blair Lonergan
Categories Lunch/Dinner
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a large jar or measuring cup. Shake (or whisk) until completely combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper on all sides, to taste. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken in the skillet and allow the chicken to cook on one side, undisturbed, for at least 6-7 minutes. Flip, and cook the chicken for about 6-8 more minutes, or until it is nicely browned on both sides and cooked through.
- The chicken is cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F, or when juices run clear.
- When the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the skillet and place it on a cutting board to rest.
- Prepare the Tortellini: Cook the tortellini in a large saucepot according to package instructions. Drain.
- While the tortellini cooks, dice the chicken into bite-size pieces.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, gently combine diced chicken, cooked tortellini, spinach, onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese. Pour about ¼ cup vinaigrette over the salad (or more, to taste). Reserve remaining vinaigrette.*
- Cover and refrigerate salad until ready to serve. You can prepare this dish up to 1 day in advance. Stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 260.6 kcal, Carbohydrate 18.3 g, Protein 19.6 g, Fat 12.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Cholesterol 46.8 mg, Sodium 331.2 mg, Fiber 2.4 g, Sugar 1 g
CHICKEN & TORTELLINI SPINACH SALAD
Not only is this attractive salad easy to make, but it is, delicious, light and filling as well.-Michelle Ashton, St. Johns, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 40m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the spinach, chicken, onion, cranberries and feta cheese. Drain pasta. Cool for 5 minutes. Add to spinach mixture., For vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Pour over spinach mixture; gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 432 calories, Fat 17g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 820mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SPINACH SALAD WITH TORTELLINI & ROASTED ONIONS
Spinach and tortellini go so well together, and this salad makes an easy meal with leftover cooked chicken. What really makes it special is the roasted onion that adds oomph to bottled salad dressing. -Robin Haas, Hyde Park, Massachusetts
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°. Toss onion with oil; spread into a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Roast until softened and lightly browned, 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally., Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse gently with cold water; drain well., Place 1/2 cup salad dressing, vinegar and roasted onion in a blender. Cover; process until blended, thinning with additional dressing if desired., To serve, place spinach, chicken, artichoke hearts, olives, peppers and tortellini in a large bowl; toss with onion mixture. Top with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 448 calories, Fat 22g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 887mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 24g protein.
SPINACH AND TORTELLINI SALAD
Enjoy this as an entree or a side salad on a warm summer evening. Try it with garlic breadsticks.
Provided by lvich
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the tortellini, spinach, cheese, tomatoes and olives. Add enough salad dressing to coat. Toss and season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 377.1 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Cholesterol 17.2 mg, Fat 23.2 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.4 g, Sodium 1420.2 mg, Sugar 5.6 g
SPINACH TORTELLINI SALAD
Easy Spinach Tortellini Salad, loaded with with fresh herbs, tomatoes, mozzarella, and olives, and tossed in a simple homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a little party, or serve it as a side next to chicken or fish. Leftovers will make a great lunch the next day!
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Time 17m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook the tortellini pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions (about 5 to 7 minutes). Drain and rinse in cold water.
- Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Add the rest of the salad ingredients and toss gently.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and herbs. Add a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine.
- For best flavor, allow the salad to rest for 30 minutes or so for the flavors to meld before serving. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 378.8 kcal, Carbohydrate 38.2 g, Protein 12.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Cholesterol 44.7 mg, Sodium 828.5 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 3.2 g, UnsaturatedFat 6.1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
TORTELLINI AND SPINACH PASTA SALAD
Pick a cheese-filled tortellini for this rich pasta salad with spinach, basil, Gouda and a creamy dressing.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Add to the bowl with the dressing.
- Add the spinach, basil, and scallions, Gouda and tomato to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.
- Copyright 2016 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
SPINACH AND CHICKEN SALAD
This salad tastes great and packs a super nutritional punch! Try it with any dressing, but my favorite is a fat free roasted garlic vinaigrette.
Provided by JESSICAWILLIAMS
Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes Spinach Salad Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place equal portions of spinach onto four salad plates. Arrange chicken, zucchini, bell pepper, and black olives over spinach, and top with cheese. Drizzle dressing over salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Carbohydrate 16.5 g, Cholesterol 97.8 mg, Fat 11.9 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 36 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 727.3 mg, Sugar 6.7 g
SPINACH SALAD WITH CHICKEN, PISTACHIOS, TORTELLINI
Steps:
- Dressing: Mix the balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil, marjoram, cumin, and grainy mustard in a cruet or covered bowl. Reserve. Salad Mixture: Trim the spinach leaves of the stems and rinse them of sand. Drain as much of the water off as possible. Cut or tear the spinach leaves into bite size pieces and put them in a large salad bowl. Toast the pistachios lightly in a small skillet, allow to cool slightly, and add them to the spinach. Slice the olives and make sure there are no pits. Add the olives to the salad mixture. Core and seed the pears or apples. Cut them into cubes. Sprinkle them with the juice and zest of 1 lemon and add them to the salad mixture. Crumble the feta cheese and add it to the salad mixture. Cook the bacon until crisp in a large skillet, drain, and crumble. Add the crumbled bacon to the salad. Add salt and pepper if desired. Mix well. Tortellini: Boil some water in a pot and cook the tortellini according to package directions. Reserve until ready to serve. Drain and add to salad with the cooked chicken (below). Chicken: Drain most of the bacon fat from the large skillet, leaving just a few tablespoons to saute the chicken. Cut the chicken breast in strips. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Sauté the onion and the garlic in the bacon fat until the onion is translucent. Add the chicken and sauté until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. Place the cooked chicken in a bowl and pour some of the dressing over it. Mix thoroughly. Just before serving, add some of the dressing over the salad and arrange the chicken strips over it. Serve. Assembly: Then cook the chicken and arrange it on top of the salad. Serve with crusty sourdough, Italian, or French bread.
Tips:
- Use baby spinach for a tender and flavorful salad base. Baby spinach has a milder flavor and more tender texture than mature spinach, making it a great choice for salads.
- Add protein to your salad with grilled chicken or tortellini. Grilled chicken is a lean and flavorful protein that pairs well with the spinach and other ingredients in the salad. Tortellini adds a hearty and filling element to the salad.
- Incorporate nuts and seeds for a crunchy texture. Pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds are all great additions to spinach salad. They provide a crunchy texture and a boost of healthy fats.
- Balance the flavors with a tangy dressing. A vinaigrette dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard is a great choice for spinach salad. The acidity of the dressing helps to balance the richness of the other ingredients.
- Add some sweetness with dried fruit or berries. Dried cranberries, raisins, and blueberries are all great additions to spinach salad. They add a touch of sweetness and help to brighten up the flavor of the salad.
Conclusion:
Spinach salad is a healthy and delicious salad that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is packed with nutrients and can be customized to your liking. With its vibrant colors, delightful flavors, and endless variations, spinach salad is a dish that everyone can enjoy.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love