Description
Delightful Bow Tie Pasta Salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with crisp vegetables and zesty herbs. Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a light, refreshing meal perfect for summer gatherings you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 16 oz bow tie pasta
- 2 cups cooked and cooled pasta
Proteins and Vegetables:
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves minced garlic
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot and cook bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and cool quickly.
- While pasta cools, prepare the vegetables by finely dicing red bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the cooked chicken into small, consistent cubes to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- Create the vibrant dressing by whisking together olive oil, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until completely emulsified.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated and distributed.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the salad, providing a bright, herbaceous finish.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop, creating a more cohesive and delicious pasta salad.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled as a refreshing main dish or side.
Notes
- Customize pasta choice by swapping bow tie for gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or chickpea pasta for dietary restrictions.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to maintain crispness and prevent soggy vegetables.
- Replace chicken with plant-based protein like grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas for vegetarian version, ensuring equal protein content.
- Enhance flavor by toasting herbs briefly before adding to dressing, which releases more intense aromatics and deepens overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg