Description
This Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining tender farfalle pasta with juicy cooked chicken, fresh baby spinach, crunchy honey roasted peanuts, sweet dried cranberries, and juicy mandarin oranges. Tossed in a tangy teriyaki dressing made from teriyaki sauce, vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and garlic, this salad is perfect for a quick, refreshing meal that’s full of texture and taste. Ready in just 30 minutes, it serves 8 and is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or a healthy family lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 6 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Main Salad
- 12 ounces farfalle (bowtie) pasta
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Make the Teriyaki Dressing: In a small bowl, combine teriyaki sauce, vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk thoroughly until well blended. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta using a strainer.
- Cool the Pasta: Rinse the drained pasta under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely. Shake off any excess water and set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, baby spinach, diced cooked chicken, honey roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, drained mandarin oranges, chopped cilantro, and chopped green onions. Toss everything gently to mix well.
- Add Dressing and Toss: Drizzle the desired amount of chilled teriyaki dressing over the salad. Gently toss again to coat every ingredient evenly with the dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad!
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken in place of diced cooked chicken for convenience.
- Make sure to drain the mandarin oranges well to avoid excess liquid diluting the salad dressing.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the farfalle pasta with a gluten-free pasta variety.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of teriyaki dressing to suit your taste preference.
- This salad stores well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but is best enjoyed fresh.
