If you know me, I’m into forgiving food. This pasta salad recipe is sure to impress, but won’t break the bank to put together nor will it take up tons of your precious time that should be spent with family and friends at holiday celebrations. This dish combines fresh flavors that make a filling dish without much guilt. To cut carbs, try using Banza chickpea pasta or zucchini noodles. Depending on the occasion, lime juice could be substituted for lemon and the chicken can be prepared any way you prefer! Read on to see how I turned some of my favorite foods into a delicious meal or side dish for any summer holiday event.
What You’ll Need
- Your favorite pasta shape (I used bow tie)
- Raw chicken breast (2)
- 1 red onion
- 1 bag of fresh brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Mayonnaise
- Feta cheese
- 2 lemons
- Chives
- 5-6 strips of thick cut bacon
- Minced garlic
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
Directions
- Wash and half brussels sprouts. Use ones of roughly the same size to ensure for even cooking.
- Rough dice 1/3 of the red onion and mix with halved sprouts.
- Toss onions and sprouts with olive oil, juice of half a lemon, sea salt, black pepper, and a teaspoon of mixed garlic until coated.
- Place vegetables on one side of baking sheet. Line other side of baking sheet with aluminum foil and lay strips of bacon on foil.
- Bake on 350 degrees for roughly 40 minutes until sprouts are roasted with a golden color and bacon is crisp.
- Marinate chicken for 20 minutes in juice of half a lemon, sea salt, and pepper. Grill to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Rest chicken breasts for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Boil pasta and prepare to box instructions. Do not rinse. Set aside in large mixing bowl.
- Combine vegetables, chopped bacon, feta cheese, and pasta in large mixing bowl.
- To prepare dressing, use 1/3 cup mayonnaise (can vary depending on desired portion number), 1 teaspoon minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and juice of half a lemon. May need to use juice of remaining half if not enough produced to create thin consistency in sauce. Mix well with spoon.
- Pour dressing over all ingredients in mixing bowl and combine. Add finely chopped chives to the top of the dish before serving.
Makes about 4 meal-sized servings. Can be served warm or chilled.
