Best 2 Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

Mandarin chicken pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or even a quick weeknight meal. The combination of sweet mandarin oranges, savory chicken, and tangy dressing makes this salad irresistible. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and refreshing salad that will be a hit at any gathering.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

MANDARIN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad image

I had this at a party and couldn't get it off my mind. It's a fruity Asian chicken salad that even my family's picky eaters enjoy. I bake my own chicken for more flavor, which adds to the prep time, but pre-cooked or canned chicken will also work just fine.

Provided by KATRINP

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 53m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 teaspoon finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger
⅓ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 (8 ounce) package bow tie (farfalle) pasta
½ cucumber - scored, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup coarsely chopped red onion
2 diced Roma tomatoes
1 carrot, shredded
1 (6 ounce) bag fresh spinach
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained
2 cups diced cooked chicken
½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

To make the dressing, whisk together the ginger root, rice vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix, sugar, and garlic until well blended. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, and rinse under cold water. Place pasta in a large bowl.
To make the salad, toss the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, carrot, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken, and almonds with the pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture, and toss again to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.2 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 21.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 357.7 mg, Sugar 11.1 g

MANDARIN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD - PAMPERED CHEF

Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad - Pampered Chef image

Make and share this Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad - Pampered Chef recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Tee Lee

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 teaspoon fresh gingerroot, peeled and finely minced
1/3 cup rice vinegar or 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
2 teaspoons sugar
1 garlic clove, finely minced
8 ounces dry bow tie pasta
1/2 cucumber, scored, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup red onion, coarsely chopped
1 (6 ounce) package baby spinach leaves
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

For dressing combine gingerroot, vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix, sugar and garlic; whisk until well blended.
For salad, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Place pasta in a large serving bowl.
While pasta is cooking, slice cucumber, dice bell pepper , and chop onion.
Add cucumber, bell pepper, onion, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken and almonds to pasta.
Pour dressing over salad; toss well and serve immediately.

Tips

Use a variety of textures: Combine soft and crunchy ingredients for an interesting contrast. In this recipe, the tender chicken and pasta are complemented by the crispy snap of the celery and almonds.
Balance flavors: Aim for a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and savory tastes. In this recipe, the sweetness of the mandarin oranges is balanced by the tangy vinaigrette and the savory chicken and bacon.
Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the chicken, make sure to give it enough space in the pan so that it can brown evenly. Overcrowding the pan will result in steamed chicken instead of browned chicken.
Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. If possible, use fresh mandarin oranges, celery, and parsley.
Make it your own: Feel free to customize the recipe to your liking. Add more or less of a particular ingredient, or substitute an ingredient with something else. For example, you could use walnuts instead of almonds, or add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.

Conclusion

Mandarin chicken pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your liking. With its vibrant colors and flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.