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Fresh Strawberry Balsamic Spring Chicken Pasta Salad

fresh strawberry balsamic chicken pasta salad - featured image
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A light and fresh pasta salad combining sweet strawberries, tangy balsamic glaze, and savory chicken, perfect for spring and summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) rotini or bow-tie pasta (whole wheat optional)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup baby spinach or spring mix
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (or goat cheese as substitute)
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds or toasted pecans
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a small skillet over medium heat, pour ¼ cup balsamic vinegar. Let it simmer gently—stir occasionally—until it reduces by about half and thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, minced garlic (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. (If short on time, skip reduction and just whisk ingredients for a lighter dressing.)
  3. Shred or dice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Hull and slice 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, removing any bruised spots. Rinse and dry greens thoroughly.
  4. Add chicken, strawberries, and 1 cup baby spinach or spring mix to the bowl with cooled pasta. Pour the balsamic dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Sprinkle ½ cup crumbled feta cheese and ¼ cup toasted nuts on top. Fold lightly to combine without crushing the berries or greens.
  6. For best flavor, chill the salad in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to soak in and flavors to meld.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad initially; add more balsamic glaze or olive oil as needed. Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best texture and flavor. Toast nuts lightly to enhance aroma and crunch. For dairy-free, omit feta or substitute with avocado. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta varieties.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry chicken pasta salad, balsamic glaze salad, summer pasta salad, spring salad, easy chicken salad, fresh strawberry salad

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/fresh-strawberry-balsamic-spring-chicken-pasta-salad-easy-recipe-for-summer-meals/