It’s simple but it packs in loads of flavor for a one-dish meal.
At Between Carpools, we love those one dish meals that are healthy and light and do a good job pleasing at least a majority of the people. If you’re looking for salads that are a meal, we have this Ramen Crunch Salad with Turkey (kid-friendly!), this “Soho Salad” from our KopyKat series, the long popular Skirt Steak and Mango Salad, and of course, the most famous of all, the Grilled Chicken Schnitzel Salad with Ramen that’s featured both in Dinner Done and Best of Kosher (because it was chosen as one of the best in Dinner Done! It’s that good!).
And here comes another winner.
The chicken gets its super flavor from Everything Bagel Spice (yup, easy easy).
Also add some salt, garlic powder, and olive oil.
I used a grill pan, but if your grill is on, this is the perfect healthy dish to include on your barbecue menu too.
A bit of whole wheat pasta makes this filling and satisfying… you get your pasta fix while only having a little bit.
And the dressing… if you didn’t think everything bagel spice and pesto goes together (two very strong flavors), now you will know that they definitely do.
Just a fresh and good, wholesome and complete meal that’s perfect for right about now.
Flavor Bomb Pesto Chicken & Pasta Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1½ lbs thinly sliced chicken cutlets
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 tbsp everything bagel spice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Salad:
- 1½ cups raw whole wheat penne or rotini, cooked
- 12 oz Romaine lettuce
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ red onion, diced
Dressing:
- ⅓ cup lite mayonnaise
- 6 frozen basil cubes
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken. In a bowl, combine chicken, 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil, everything bagel spice, salt, and garlic powder.
- Add remaining olive oil to a sauté pan or grill pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken, in batches if necessary, and cook until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side for extra thin cutlets. Slice into strips and set aside.
- Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package instructions.
- Combine all dressing ingredients.
- Assemble the salad. Combine Romaine lettuce, cooked pasta, tomatoes, and red onion. Top with chicken strips and drizzle with dressing.
|