This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a scrumptious mixture of tender and tacky tortellini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, crispy bacon, savory hen and candy mandarin oranges drizzled with a candy and tangy dressing for a lightweight however amazingly satisfying meal.

Why This Is The Very Finest Tortellini Pasta Salad. Ever.

Pasta salads are one in all my favourite summer time meals and potluck choices as a result of they’re simple, filling, feed a crowd, and the entire meals teams are tossed collectively into one scrumptious and handy bowl. And whereas I’ve just a few tasty go-to pasta salad recipes, in case you held me down and compelled me to select a favourite, this one would in all probability make its option to the highest.

This Tortellini Pasta Salad simply delivers on each entrance. The chewy tortellini is tossed with tender hen, crisp greens, salty-crunchy bacon, and juicy oranges.. and the entire wonderful factor is tossed in a candy and tangy dressing that you might eat with a spoon. I’ve served it freshly made, and made it forward of time and served it chilled. Both means… this one is a particular crowd pleaser!

Components You’ll Must Make this Superb Tortellini Pasta Salad:

• Tortellini Pasta– We like to make use of contemporary refrigerated tortellini. You would additionally use common pasta- penne or rotini would work nice too.
• Hen– This recipe requires hen breast that you just cook dinner within the skillet. However rotisserie hen is a simple and scrumptious choice too.
• Bacon– Any type will work right here. Common, thick lower, turkey.. we like precooked bacon as a result of it’s good and quick.
• Spinach– We used child spinach. Give it a tough chop earlier than including it to the salad.
• Tomatoes– We like cherry tomatoes finest on this salad. Simply lower them in half and you’re good to go.
• Cucumber– We at all times use english cucumbers, as a result of they don’t need to peel them or take away the seeds.
• Mandarin Oranges– We use canned mandarin oranges which might be packed in juice.

Candy & Tangy Dressing:

• Sugar– Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps to thicken up the dressing too.
• Crimson Wine Vinegar– That is our favourite, however you might in all probability substitute white or apple cider vinegar.
• Oil– We like to make use of avocado oil.
• Salt– Common sea salt is our go-to.
• Paprika– Provides a refined smokiness.
• Oregano– Oregano provides an earthy, herby taste to the dressing.

How To Make Tortellini Pasta Salad:

1. Cook dinner pasta. Based on the package deal directions- this may differ in case you are utilizing contemporary or dry pasta.
2. Cook dinner the hen. Season the hen breasts with salt and pepper. Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and drizzle with oil. Cook dinner for about 4-5 minutes per facet till golden brown on the skin and not pink. Take away to a slicing board. Permit to chill earlier than dicing.
3. Cook dinner the bacon. Cook dinner bacon within the pan you used to cook dinner the hen, or based on package deal instructions. Chop into bite-sized items.
4. Chop the greens. Give the spinach a tough chop, slice the tomatoes in half, and quarter and slice the cucumber. Drain the oranges.
5. Make the dressing. In a small saucepan, deliver the sugar and vinegar to a boil and whisk till the sugar has dissolved. Take away from warmth and add the remaining components. Whisk to mix.
6. Toss the salad. Add the pasta, hen, bacon, veggies, and oranges to a big serving bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to mix. Prime with freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Suggestions & Options:

Can I make Tortellini Pasta Salad forward of time?

That is the right make-ahead dish! Whereas it’s scrumptious served freshly made, it’s equally as tasty served chilly. You can also make it within the morning and chill for a fast dinner or potluck dish!

How lengthy does tortellini pasta salad final?

Leftover tortellini pasta salad will final 2-3 days when saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.

Variations:

• Use rotisserie hen as a substitute of pan-frying hen. Simple, quick and scrumptious!
• Pass over the hen and bacon for a tasty meatless entree or facet dish.
• Substitute the tortellini along with your pasta of alternative! Penne, ziti, bowtie or rotini all work nicely.
• Strive including completely different greens to fit your style or what’s in your fridge. Zucchini, sugar snap peas, broccoli, avocado, peas, or radishes are all tasty choices.

Extra Yummy Pasta Salad Recipes: