Pasta Salad With Chicken and Vegetables

Submitted by ratherbeswimmin

"Cucina Fresca"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 55mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• Dressing

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• coarse salt
• fresh ground black pepper

• Salad

• 2 chicken breast halves
• coarse salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 zucchini, ends trimmed
• 2 carrots, peeled
• 2 celery ribs, strings removed
• 1 red bell pepper, halved and seeded
• 1⁄4 lb tender green beans, trimmed
• 1⁄2 lb penne
• 1 teaspoon capers
• fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish

directions

1. Make the dressing: heat the rosemary in the olive oil in a small pan until the oil is hot, but not smoking; cook for 30 minutes.
2. Combine the oil with the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Make the salad: rub the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and rosemary; roast in a preheated 450 oven for 10-12 minutes or until the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink near the bone; cool.
4. Cut the zucchini, carrots, celery, and red pepper in julienne strips.
5. Cut any long green beans into pieces about as long as the vegetables.
6. Blanch each vegetable in an abundant amount of boiling salted water until tender.
7. Remove each vegetable with a slotted spoon and place in a colander.
8. Refresh under cold running water.
9. Cut the cooled chicken into julienne strips.
10. Cook the penne as directed on the package; drain; toss the pasta gently with the chicken, vegetables, and dressing in a large bowl.
11. Scatter the capers over the top; garnish with rosemary sprigs.
12. Serve room temperature or chilled.