Curried Chicken & Pasta Salad

From EatingWell: July/August 1995 — Subscribe Now!

This crowd-pleasing pasta salad is potluck-perfect for barbecue season.

6 servings

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

12 ounces large whole-wheat pasta shells
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, (1/2 ounce)
1 tablespoon curry powder, preferably Madras
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt, or reduced-fat sour cream
1/3 cup mango chutney
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces (see Tip)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped scallions, (4 scallions)
1/2 cup diced celery
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Cook pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. Set aside.
Toast almonds in a small dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Return the pan to the stovetop and add curry powder. Toast, stirring constantly, over low heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in mayonnaise, yogurt, chutney, turmeric, cinnamon and ground red pepper.
Combine chicken, raisins, scallions, celery and the reserved pasta in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper and ground red pepper. Garnish with the toasted almonds.

Tips & Notes

Tip: To poach chicken breasts: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a medium skillet or saucepan and add lightly salted water to cover; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 439 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 41 mg cholesterol; 69 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 7 g fiber; 515 mg sodium; 577 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (20% daily value), Iron (17% dv), Potassium (16% dv).

4 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 starch, 1/2 fruit, 2 very lean meat, 1 fat