Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Looking for a filling pasta dish that wont weigh you down? Don’t miss this Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad recipe created in partnership with Barilla. 

Jay’s youngest daughter recently made the high school soccer team (we shared her DIY #QuadGoals soccer t-shirt a few weeks ago). She’s something of a rockstar and we’re rather proud of her. With all of the energy she’s using up out on the field, it’s important to ensure that she’s eating healthy meals that are good for her body. Soccer shape! I am working to come up with new recipes that are both healthy and kid friendly for busy school nights.

A lot of athletes turn to pasta dishes before competition, but it’s still so hot in Utah this time of year it’s hard to get excited about cooking (or eating) a hot meal like the Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese or Sausage and Ricotta Stuffed Shells we like to enjoy in the cold winter months.

This lighter pasta dish, featuring Barilla’s Penne Pasta and Tomato Basil Sauce, is filled with fresh veggies. The pasta’s low glycemic index is perfect for keeping busy teens fueled and ready to roll.

The bonus? This Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad can easily be made ahead on days where errands and soccer practice get in the way of a “good ol’ home cooked meal.”

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

Cooking pasta seems so easy, right? Pasta + water = dinner. However, sometimes the tasks that seem the most simple are the hardest to get right. There are truly two crucial components to pasta done just right. The first is ensuring that you have quality pasta, made with simple, non-GMO ingredients that’s been cooked properly. While the second is all about the pasta to sauce ratio.

For this recipe, I used Barilla’s Penne Pasta. The large diameter and ridges of Penne make it idea for retaining sauce inside and out, which makes the entire dish more flavorful. Once the pasta was cooked and cooled, I added the chicken, veggies and about a cup and a half of Barilla’s Tomato Basil Sauce.

Tip: I love the flavor of grilled chicken.I always like to cook up a few extra pieces for use in recipes later in the week. Having just that little bit of meal prep done early, makes busy weeknight meals in during the school year so much easier. 

You’re going to love this recipe, but you’re also going to love the opportunity Barilla is providing to support a great cause…

For every box of Barilla Blue Box pasta purchase at Walmart between August 10 and October 31, 2017, Barilla will donate $1 to No Kid Hungry, up to $50,000. That’s enough to provide 500,000 meals to kids in need. Learn more at nokidhungry.org/onedollar.

Barilla Pasta is easy to find in Walmart stores…just look for the giant wall of blue!

I think this Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad will be in the rotation until the weather cools down and we’re ready for something a bit heavier.

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

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Servings 6 -8

Ingredients

  

• 1 box Barilla Penne Pasta
• 1.5 c. Barilla Tomato Basil Sauce
• 1.5 c. Roma Tomatoes Diced
• 1.5 c. Cucumber Peeled and Diced
• 1 c. Grilled Chicken Diced
• .5 c. Olives Sliced
• .5 c. Red Onions Diced
• .5 c. Feta Cheese
• 2 tblsp. Basil Shredded
• 1 tblsp. Salt
• 1/4 c. Parmesan Cheese Optional

Instructions

 

• Boil water in a pan large enough to give the pasta room to breathe. When water has come to a rolling boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and box of Barilla Penne Pasta.
• Cook pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring continuously. Drain pasta. Mix in 1.5 c (or just enough to coat your noodles lightly) and set aside to cool.
• Dice tomatoes, cucumber, onions, and chicken. Combine in a large bowl.
• Fold veggies, cheese and protein into pasta with a large spatula or spoon, being careful not to break pasta.
• Top with parmesan cheese and shredded basil.
• Serve immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator for later.

This post was written by me on behalf of Barilla to promote the Walmart No Kid Hungry partnership. For more information, visit nokidhungry.org #barillaus #nokidhungry