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Flavorful Grilled Chicken Fajita Pasta Salad Recipe with Zesty Lime Dressing Made Easy

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A smoky, tangy grilled chicken fajita pasta salad with colorful bell peppers and a bright, zesty lime dressing. Perfect for quick meals, entertaining, and adaptable to various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), pounded to even thickness
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces (225 g) rotini or penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes; zest one lime for extra zing)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, then evenly coat with the spice mixture. Let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Grill the chicken and vegetables: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). While the chicken cooks, grill the sliced bell peppers and red onion until they have nice char marks and are just tender (about 4-5 minutes). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  5. Assemble the salad: Add the grilled peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro to the cooled pasta. Toss gently to combine. Add the sliced grilled chicken on top.
  6. Toss with dressing: Pour the zesty lime dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Do not skip resting the chicken after grilling to keep it juicy. Toss dressing just before serving to avoid soggy pasta. Can substitute chicken with shrimp, steak, or tofu. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diet. Fresh lime juice is recommended for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, fajita, pasta salad, lime dressing, easy recipe, summer salad, healthy, quick meal, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/flavorful-grilled-chicken-fajita-pasta-salad-recipe-with-zesty-lime-dressing-made-easy/