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Chicken and pasta make a great combination. Chicken is a lean and protein-packed meat and pasta is a hearty and filling carb that can give you the energy you need to help you through your busy day.
The recipe we have here takes the chicken and pasta combination to another level with the addition of healthy veggies. Read on to find out more about the meal, its ingredients, and variations you can make on the dish.
Spiral Macaroni
One of the things that set this chicken and pasta dish apart is the use of macaroni spirals.
The debate on whether different shapes of pasta taste different is one that rages on in culinary blogs everywhere. However, there does seem to be something to it.
According to experts, it all comes down to the surface of mass ratios. This affects how the pasta cooks and how much starch gets rubbed off when the pasta boils.
The shape also affects how well it holds the sauce.
The texture is another factor. The texture is influenced by the shape and, even though it may not have as much of an effect on the flavor, it does play into the eating experience.
Spiral pasta holds sauce rather well as the sauce can adhere to the spirals. It provides a springy, light texture in the mouth which helps to make this dish a favorite.
In the case of this recipe, there is no real sauce, only the butter as well as salt, pepper and garlic seasoning. However, the spirals work to lock in these flavors which makes the dish light and tasty.
The health quotient of the meal is increased with the addition of mushrooms and broccoli. Mushrooms are fat-free, low sodium, low calorie, and cholesterol-free. They are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Broccoli is a bit of a superfood. It’s a good source of vitamins K and C. It is also rich in folate, potassium, and fiber. It is an antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals while promoting digestive health.
On top of all this, the key ingredient, chicken, adds to the health benefits of the meal. It is lean, full of protein, it boosts the immune system and it can also lower stress.
Chicken Macaroni Salad
There are many variations on the chicken and pasta meal and one of these is the chicken and macaroni salad.
Pasta salads are typically served cold and, based on the ingredients in this meal, you can simply refrigerate and serve to make it into a salad that will make the perfect summertime variation.
However, when it comes to chicken macaroni salad meals, there is no end to what you can create. Here are some recipes we recommend.
Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad: Both chicken and macaroni make great deli salads when mayonnaise is added. Therefore, it stands to reason that mayonnaise would make the perfect addition to this meal. Other ingredients that are included are eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, relish, celery, bell pepper, green onions, and seasonings.
Chicken Pasta Salad Without Mayo: If you are looking for a lighter meal, you can make your chicken pasta meal without mayo or butter. In this case, you use can a light vinaigrette as a dressing to give the dish added flavor and moisture.
You can buy a store-bought vinaigrette, but most home cooks will prefer making their own vinaigrette at home. This can be done using the following ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ medium red onion
To make the dressing, place the garlic, lemon juice, salt, vinegar, oregano, sugar, Dijon and pepper together in a glass jar. Add the oil, seal the jar and shake until emulsified.
This dressing will give your chicken pasta salad a delightful Mediterranean flavor that will work well with ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese.
Chicken and pasta make such a great combination. These ingredients are the base for a healthy and filling dish that can work well together with a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. How will you be preparing them to make a meal that is sure to delight your family?
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Summertime Chicken and our Olive Oil Garlic Chicken.
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Chicken and Macaroni Spirals Recipe
(3 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
Chicken and pasta make a great combination. Chicken is a lean and protein packed meat and pasta is a hearty and filling carb that can give you the energy you need to help you through your busy day. The recipe we have here takes the chicken and pasta combination to another level with the addition of healthy veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spiral macaroni
- 1 package frozen, chopped broccoli
- 1 pound chicken, cubed
- 1 can mushroom pieces
- 2 sticks butter, melted
- Garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Cook and drain macaroni. Set aside.
- Cook broccoli according to directions. Drain and set aside.
- Fry chicken cubes until cooked through.
- Add chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, and melted butter to macaroni and season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spiral macaroni, chicken macaroni salad
The image featured at the top of this post is ©David Moreno / averiecooks.