Hello, hello!!
Today for #SundaySupper we had to make a dish to share for Labor Day weekend! For me this dish was made twice, since I wasn’t happy with the first dish, I needed to revamp it and make it better!! And this dish is way better too!! I am happy to share with you my Strawberries and Chicken Pasta Salad with Orange Poppy Dressing.
This salad is made with rotini pasta aka spirals, strawberries, grapes, chicken and it’s marinated in my orange poppy-seed dressing. It’s light, refreshing and so full of flavor, not to mention it’s pretty healthy for you too!!! For the pasta I used Dreamfields pasta, which is full of fiber and protein. I went for this pasta because it is white. If I use whole grain or a vegetable pasta my Husband won’t touch it. The pasta turned out perfect. No one would know it is healthy!!
To flavor up the pasta, I used fresh strawberries and grapes that I got from my CSA box this week. In my original recipe I used blueberries to go with the strawberries, but I find grapes are nicer and more firm than blueberries. For the chicken, I cheated and used the breast meat of a rotisserie chicken. However if you prefer to make your own chicken, I recommend my marinated yogurt chicken, it makes the most moist chicken ever!!! That’s no joke!!
For the dressing I made my orange poppy-seed dressing that I used on my fruit salad with grilled chicken recipe. I love this dressing because it’s light, refreshing and doesn’t contain any oil, plus it adds a wonderful orange flavor to the pasta. The poppy seeds also add a nice crunch!! The longer you let the dressing marinate in the pasta the more robust flavor you will get. The combination of the dressing with the chicken and fruit make a wonderful companionship! I just love it! I am so glad I remade my recipe because this one is so much better!!!
- 3 Cups spiral pasta (Any small pasta will be great)
- 8 oz chicken, cooked, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup strawberries, cut in half
- 1 cup grapes
- Dressing:
- ¼ cup orange juice (I used Tropic 50)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tsp. distilled vinegar
- ½ tsp. stevia or granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. Poppy seeds
- Cook pasta according to manufactures direction. When pasta is done, drain the water and add to a large bowl to cool.
- Once cooled, add chicken, strawberries, grapes and scallions. Lightly mix together; set aside.
- In a small bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients; whisk until combined. Pour dressing into pasta salad and mix until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the flavors marinate for one hour before serving. If you do not plan to serve this right away, add the fruit when ready to serve.
Calories per cup: 164, Fat: 1.6, Cholesterol: 18, Sodium: 28, Potassium: 82, Carbs: 28, Fiber: 3.6, Sugar: 4.3, Protein: 12
I hope you have a great Labor Day! If you still need ideas for recipes, be sure to check out what the #SundaySupper crew has prepared. I love when we have the same theme and everyone comes up with the most creative ideas. Then I tell myself, I should have made that! 🙂
I have a fun week planned for next week and I can’t wait to share it with you!! Be sure to stop back tomorrow!
Enjoy your weekend!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Refreshing Drinks
- Hibiscus Flower Margaritas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Cherry Bourbon Lemonade from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Mint Sweet Tea from Supper for a Steal
- Pineapple soda floats from Healthy. Delicious.
Amazing Appetizers and Sides
- Hatch, Chive & Chevre Figs from Shockingly Delicious
- Grilled Corn Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing from girlichef
- Cucumber Cups from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob from The urban Mrs
- Stuffed Baby Sweet Pepper from Country Girl In The Village
- Peach Salsa Nachos from Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Grilled Peach Salad from Curious Cuisiniere
- Caramelized Onion Relish from What Smells So Good?
- Strawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Chorizo and Cheese Jalapeno Poppers from I Run For Wine
- Spiced Honey Peach Muffins from Mess Makes Food
- Spicy Bacon Popcorn from Nik Snacks
- Sausage Rolls from Food Lust People Love
- Deviled Eggs Stuffed With Garlic Guacamole from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Tortellini Caprese Salad from Webicurean
Enviously Good Entreés
- Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Salsa from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Homemade Teriyaki from Juanita’s Cocina
- Beer Brined BBQ Chicken from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Kansas City Barbecued Spare Ribs from The Texan New Yorker
- Grilled Italian Turkey Burgers from Table for Seven
- Red Wine Burgers with Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese from Neighborfood
- Red, White & Blue Spicy Burgers from Daily Dish Recipes
- Deluxe Pizza Burgers from Foxes Love Lemons
- Stir-Fry Rice with Turkey Bacon and Eggs from Basic N Delicious
- Grilled Herb Shrimp with Chimichurri Sauce from Magnolia Days
- Tropical Shrimp Kabobs from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Spicy Sea Scallop Skewers with Mint Yoghurt Sauce from Soni’s Food
- Proscuitto & Spinach Macaroni and Cheese from Family Foodie
Delicious Desserts
- Old-Fashioned Pineapple Up-Side-Down Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
- Egg Free Chocolate Mousse from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Fresh Raspberry Bran Muffins from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Peach Cheesecake Crumb Bars from Chocolate Moosey
- Peanut Butter Cream Pie with a Pretzel Crust from Cookin’ Mimi
- S’mores Brownies from Alida’s Kitchen
- Ice Cream Granola Truffles from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Strawberries with Red Wine Reduction and Whipped Cream from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Peach Kuchen {#Dairyfree} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Raspberry Lime Cupcakes from Treats & Trinkets
- Summer Berry Chocolate Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Peanut Butter Vegan Dreams from NinjaBaking.com
- Red, White & Blue Jello Parfaits from In The Kitchen With KP
- Moistest Ever White Chocolate Pound Cake with Fresh Orange Glaze from Eat, Move, Shine
- Caramel Brownies from Pies and Plots
- Red, White & Blue Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Dip Trio from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.
theninjabaker says
Love your cheery tribute to fruits, Jennifer. Your orange poppy seed dressing looks like a winner, too =)
DB-The Foodie Stuntman @ Crazy Foodie Stunts says
Thanks for participating this week! This pasta salad looks delicious.
Alida says
What a delicious and colorful salad! This looks so good, Jennifer!
Conni Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says
What a cheerful salad, I love the colors and poppy seeds are a perfect touch 🙂
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
This looks great! I’ve been loving all of the fruited pasta salads I’ve seen popping up lately.
Liz says
Gorgeous salad, Jen! I just tried Dreamsfield pasta and it’s fabulous!!!
Sarah says
This is totally something for my mom, she loves fruit and salad
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I make a chicken salad with strawberries that I love, so I know I would LOVE this! So gorgeous!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you so much Jen!! 🙂
Katy says
I’ve never thought of putting strawberries with pasta, I will have to try it!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Give it a try, I bet you’ll like it!
Emily @ Life on Food says
Our CSA box was extra good this week. No grapes though. Great use with this dish.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Don’t you just love getting your CSA box? Mine was good too, and I am glad I got grapes this round. Hope to get them again soon!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
What a great idea to add strawberries to your chicken pasta salad!
Diana @EatMoveShine says
Great tip on the pasta brand… I’ll have to check that out! And love the combination of flavors… sounds so refreshing and filling all at the same time! 🙂
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Diana! It is filling, yet it’s a nice light salad!
Renee Dobbs (@reneedobbs) says
I seem to always forget about how fruit like strawberries and grapes go so well with pasta. Even better with a citrus dressing. Lovely recipe.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Renee! I know it seems kind of weird adding fruit to pasta, but it’s such a great match!!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
The colors are gorgeous! And, the dressing sounds wonderful and bright. Yum!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you so much Shannon!!
kathia Rodriguez says
A good pasta salad is what you need in a hot summer day.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I completely agree with you!!
Kim@Treats & Trinkets says
This salad sounds perfect. I’ll take a big bowl!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I’ll send one right over to you! 🙂
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This looks so yummy, I love the summery dressing!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Stephanie!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
That orange poppyseed dressing sounds wonderful! I love the sweet version of pasta salad…so colorful too!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I love that this is a pasta version of my favorite salad at Panera – the strawberry poppyseed chicken salad!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
The Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad at Panera is my favorite salad there! It’s going to be gone this week. 🙁
marlameridith says
Lovely pasta salad!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you so much Marla!
Hezzi-D says
This sounds like a fresh and fruity twist on pasta salad and I’m loving the poppy dressing!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Hezzi!!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I like strawberries and chicken together. I need to try it with pasta!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Strawberries and chicken are a wonderful combo! One of my favorite summer time foods together!
Susan says
Looking at your pasta salad has made me realized I’ve barely made any this summer! Love the addition of fruit to yours!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Susan! I never make enough pasta salad in the summer, I don’t’ know why because it’s so good cold and perfect for lunches!
Anne @ Webicurean says
What a beautiful salad! I’ve never tried strawberries in a savory salad, but I’ll bet they make the perfect sweet/salty combo!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Anne! This salad has it all and it’s so summery!
Family Foodie says
I love all the components of this pasta salad and the poppy seed dressing sounds delish, also! Such a beautiful summer salad.
The Recipes Pk says
perfect dish for diet. My husband loved it. Please share more salad recipes.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Desi Food Recipes says
Love to see such an amazing dish, Me and my entire family love to enjoy single bites of it. Thanks for sharing.