Name: Poppyseed Pasta Salad with Chicken, Almonds & Cherries
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 8 Oz. Box Banza rotini pasta; 2 Cups cooked chicken breast meat; 2 Celery stalks chopped; 3 Green onions chopped and white/light green separated from dark green; 1/4 Cup slivered almonds; 1/3 Cup dried cherries; 1/2 Cup poppyseed salad dressing; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

YIELDS:

4 servings

PREP TIME:

0 hours 5 mins

COOK TIME:

0 hours 7-10 mins

TOTAL TIME:

0 hours 15 mins

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ingredients

1 8 Oz. Box Banza rotini pasta

2 Cups cooked chicken breast meat

2 Celery stalks, chopped

3 Green onions, chopped and white/light green separated from dark green

1/4 Cup slivered almonds

1/3 Cup dried cherries

1/2 Cup poppyseed salad dressing

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook the pasta in salted, boiling water for about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. (I cooked mine for five minutes). You want the pasta al dente (slightly chewy and slightly firm). Drain, rinse with cold water and let the pasta cool completely.

2. Mix all the ingredients, except the dark green parts of the onion, in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and taste. Adjust seasoning.

3. Put in the refrigerator for at least an hour to chill and let the flavors meld together.

4. Serve on a plate or in a bowl with a sprinkle of the dark green onion tops. Enjoy.

NOTES: This is an oldie that I created over 20 years ago after having a similar recipe in a little cafe in Minnetonka, MN. It was such a delicious pasta salad that as soon as I got home, I started trying to duplicate it. Over the years, I’ve changed some things (like the brand of poppyseed dressing I use) but this is a close representation of that salad. I don’t remember the name of the cafe, but everytime I make it, I think of my time in that city…beautiful.

I used Ken’s Poppyseed dressing. I’ve tried lots of dressings and many are really good but I find this particular brand isn’t too sweet…I like the balance. You’ll note that I used a chickpea flour pasta. This is new to me (I like regular pasta!). I’ve tried lots of alternative pastas…some with great success, others not so much! This brand and the chickpea flour has a great texture and a good flavor. No one even knew I swapped out the pasta choice. So if you are looking for an alternative to regular pasta, this is a good choice. It also gives you a serious protein boost which is always a good thing. A special note: when cooking, there will be a lot of foam. That is normal for this pasta and will rinse off when you are done. If you aren’t feeling brave, regular pasta works just fine.

Adults and kids love this salad and it is easy to make. Enjoy.

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