The star of this big, juicy Pasta Salad is the dressing – it’s made using the flavour infused oil from the Sun Dried Tomatoes. Never throw away free flavour – especially when it’s this good! Quick to make and a big crowd pleaser, this can be as diverse as you want it to be!
According to Google, there are 433 million results when you’re searching for a Pasta Salad.
So what makes this one different?
A MUST-TRY PASTA SALAD DRESSING
It’s the Dressing. 🙂 It’s a vinaigrette, and it’s made using the oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes. And it’s not only infused with sun dried tomato flavour, it’s got a bunch of other flavourings as well, all things we love – garlic, herbs, sugar, salad and pepper.
So I use the flavour infused oil from the jar as the base for the Pasta Salad Dressing, then add other usual suspects – vinegar, garlic, mustard – plus a healthy dose of dried herbs.
There will always be a place in my heart for creamy dressings like this Chicken Pasta Salad, but there’s no denying that I find pasta salads tossed with vinaigrettes more appealing. They’re just fresher and lighter, and it means I can enjoy them day after day and not feel weighed down / guilty about excess mayo consumption.
WHAT INGREDIENTS GO IN A PASTA SALAD??
In this pasta salad, we’ve got cooked pasta, chicken, sun dried tomato, baby spinach, tomatoes and onion with a pasta salad dressing. But as with most pasta salad recipes, this is adaptable to what you’ve got on hand or whatever you want to put in it!
This is a particularly great pasta salad for taking somewhere or making ahead because it keeps exceptionally well.
I know you hear that often – that pasta salads keep well. But in this case, it really does – because it’s light on fresh veggies. Just tomatoes and baby spinach which does wilt once dressed but then seemingly becomes more integrated into the pasta salad, rather than being off-puttingly limp like when it’s in a normal salad.
I’m probably doing myself a major disservice here by saying that it’s light on fresh veggies, it doesn’t make it sound very summery, does it? 🙂
But actually, this is a terrific year round pasta salad because it’s lovely served warm too. Try it! – Nagi x
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Chicken
Ingredients
- 375 g / 12 oz spiral pasta , or other pasta of choice
- 220 g / 7 oz jar sun dried tomato strips in oil
- 2 cups (packed) shredded cooked chicken
- 250 g / 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved
- 75 g / 2.5 oz baby spinach (2 big handfuls)
- 1 small red onion, quartered and finely sliced
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (Note 1)
- 100 g / 3 oz feta, crumbled
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup / 85 ml oil from sun dried tomatoes
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (Note 1)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Drain oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes.
- Measure out 1/3 cup of the oil, top with extra virgin olive oil if short. Reserve excess oil for another purpose.
- Add remaining Dressing ingredients. Mix well.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water per packet directions.
- Drain, then rinse briefly under cold water. Leave to cool.
- Transfer into large bowl. Add spinach, chicken, tomato, onion, pour over Dressing.
- Toss well, sprinkle with dried herbs, toss again.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with crumbled feta. Best served at room temperature.
Make ahead PRO TIP (Note 2):
- SCOOP OUT a mug of pasta cooking water just before draining. Add 3 tbsp water to Dressing, shake well. Use this Dressing per above, but reserve 3 tbsp to freshen up pasta salad on Day 2 onwards.
- Freshen up pasta salad: Bring to room temp or briefly microwave (cold pasta = dry) to warm gently. Toss with Reserved Dressing then serve.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
He spends a lot of time peering out the window nowadays…. watching passer-byers, the birds that flit around in the trees, newspaper swirling in the wind on the driveway (especially fascinated by this…….)
* For those playing catch up, Dozer completely ruptured his ACL and had to undergo surgery. We’re 3 weeks into a 3 – 4 month recovery period. Challenging for this highly active dog ☹️
Definitely great for any time of the year, Nagi! I love using the oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes. Adds that extra flavor. You know I might add in a pinch of something spicy for me. Haha! Great recipe. 5 stars all the way.
Hey! I DID add a pinch of red pepper flakes! Oh wait – I think I forgot ti add that clip in the video!! 😩
Oh my gosh Nagi, you use the oil from your sun-dried tomatoes too? I thought I was the only one but it has got to be a good thing if you do it. I love this!! I sure hope your feeling better quickly.
I see Dozer’s fur is coming in nicely. He will be back to normal in no time at all.
Always!!! I make a couscous salad where I literally dump the entire jar all over the couscous 🙂 It’s SO GOOD!
Who wouldn’t like this pasta salad. Sounds great and the dressing, I think, would be for fantastic basting the old bird on the Weber as well.
The Doz is looking a bit like an African lion from the back side. Well half of his back side anyway…
That is a ripper idea Rob! I’m totally trying that 🙂 Someone else told me about a master marinade they make using the oil and some sun dried tomatoes, garlic, lemon etc, whizz it up and they swear it’s the most incredible marinade for anything, especially for grilling!
Poor lil’ Dozer….
He’ll soon be out & about !
This recipe on the menu for my husband & my lunches for remainder of the week!
LOVE your recipes!
PERFECT for lunches day after day after day!!! 🙂 N x
This looks amazing… now that summer is (finally) here in Toronto, always looking for salad recipes. Thanks Nagi, and glad to see Dozer recovering so well!
Glad to hear summer has finally arrived! Gosh it took its time this year, didn’t it???
Thank you for the recipe! I added finely diced red capsicum & spring onions (instead of the red onion) & rocket & basil leaves for the “greens”. plus some capers.I had to make do with what I had, & it turned out wonderfully “adult”
Your additions are fantastic!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Linda! N x