Warm Weather Eating

So it has been a while since I've made a food post.  However, I am still always trying new recipes, as well as stalking Pinterest and Food Gawker.

I stumbled upon this pasta salad recipe on Pinterest the other day and knew I wanted to give it a try.  I've actually never been a pasta salad kind of person.  That's usually the dish I skip over at barbecues.  Somehow the ingredients and ease of this dish, spoke to me.  Not to mention, with how hot it's been, this dish is a great fit.

The verdict was....this dish was a hit!!  I will definitely keep this in rotation!  I suggest eating it along side a piece of pita bread, or something similar.

EASY GRILLED CHICKEN TORTELLINI SALAD

Serves 4.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: About 15 minutes

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 1 box tri-color tortellini 
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 – 5 ounces each)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• Fresh basil, chopped
• 2 mini babybel lights, thinly sliced

For the dressing:

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 medium shallot, chopped
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (good quality)
• 2 teaspoons Greek seasoning

Directions:

1. Liberally rub chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Preheat a grill to medium heat and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Add chicken and cook until completely done, about 5 – 6 minutes on each side. Remove from grill and slice into thin pieces. 
2. While chicken cooks, bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add tortellini and cook for about 8 minutes, or until they are fully cooked (they’ll float to the top). Rinse.
3. In a large salad bowl, mix the tortellini with the chicken. Add tomatoes, onion and sliced cheese.
4. Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a shallow bowl. Pour over salad and stir in fresh basil.

Nutritional information per serving (about 1/2 cup serving with 1 tablespoon dressing):

Calories: 421 
Fat: 20 grams* 
Carbohydrates: 28.75 grams
Fiber: 3.25 grams
Protein: 23.25 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 10

TIPS & MODS:

As you can see the only thing i did different, is the type of pasta.  I couldn't find tri-colored tortellini, so I used rotini instead.  I didn't grill my chicken--just baked it, then cut it into small pieces. Oh, and I also used a crumbled gorgonzola cheese along with the Baby Bell!

Enjoy!

*NikG*

Recipe courtesy of The Realistic Nutritionist.