Best 5 Sunnys Grilled Cobb Pasta Salad Recipes

SUNNY'S GRILLED COBB PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the grill: Prepare a grill for high heat.
• Cut each chicken breast open and in half to make 4 thin chicken fillets. With a meat mallet, gently pound each chicken fillet to even thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with the paprika and some salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Put both the chicken and corn on the grill above the direct heat. Cook the chicken on one side for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. For the corn, simply rotate to get charred and blistered kernels on all sides. This takes about the same time as the chicken, so tend to both simultaneously. Remove the chicken from the grill and cover with aluminum foil for 10 minutes. Allow the corn to cool enough to cut the kernels off, then do just that. Put the corn in a bowl. Once rested, finely chop the chicken: not big chunks, nice lil bits the size of peas.
• For the pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• For the dressing: In a small food processor, add the mayonnaise, avocado, scallion, lime zest and juice, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Blend until smooth; if needed, add a splash of water to thin to desired consistency.
• For the salad: To the large bowl of pasta, add the sun-dried tomatoes and dressing and mix to combine. Arrange the chicken, corn, eggs, bacon and cheese on top of the pasta salad.

GRILLED COBB SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a grill or large grill pan for medium heat. Quarter the tomatoes, then slice each quarter into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Combine with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl; let sit at room temperature.
• Grate 3 of the garlic cloves into a 1-quart resealable bag. Add 1/4 cup of the oil, half the lemon zest and juice, and the chicken, and seal the bag tightly. Massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure it is evenly coated. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grate the remaining garlic clove into the carafe of a blender. Add the avocados, scallions, 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup of the oil, the remaining lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, and puree until smooth. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the dressing, and refrigerate the carafe.
• Transfer the chicken to a plate or baking sheet, shaking off any excess marinade. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Place the chicken and the bacon on the grill. (Note: If you have a charcoal grill, cook the bacon in a grill pan. It should not be grilled over charcoal because of the risk of flare-ups.) Grill the chicken until charred on both sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the deepest part of each breast reads 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes per side; transfer to a cutting board, and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Grill the bacon, flipping as needed to ensure even cooking, until lightly charred on both sides and most of the fat has rendered, about 10 minutes; transfer to the cutting board.
• While the chicken rests, quarter the romaine hearts lengthwise, leaving some of the stem attached to each quarter. Brush the cut sides with the remaining oil, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Grill, cut-side down, leaving 1/2 inch of space between each quarter (do not crowd; grill in batches if needed), until 1 cut side is lightly charred, 30 seconds to 1 minute; turn and repeat for the other cut side; transfer to a cutting board, and let cool slightly. Cut into 1-inch pieces, and mound onto a large platter.
• Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch pieces, and crumble the bacon. Arrange the chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes (along with the juices) and blue cheese in rows on top of the romaine. When ready to serve, toss with the dressing, season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

PEPPERY PASTA

Steps:

• In a large straight-sided saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, pepper and a pinch of salt. Heat and toast the pepper until the oil is fragrant with the pepper scent, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and allow the moisture to evaporate from the pasta for a couple of minutes.
• Add the pasta to the pan with the olive oil, raise the heat to medium-high and continuously toss the pasta with tongs to coat with the olive oil and pepper. Remove from the heat, add the lemon zest and cheese, toss and then transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

SUNNY'S MONEY SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine all ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Toss together and serve.

READY PASTA COBB SALAD WITH READY PASTA ELBOWS

Steps:

• Tear corner of Ready Pasta pouch to vent. Heat in the microwave for one minute; pour on a plate and let cool down.
• Toss pasta with all ingredients together in two individual serving bowls.