Chilled Chicken Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart Dutch oven about half full of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt if desired. Cover with lid; heat over high heat until water is boiling rapidly. Add the pasta. Heat to boiling again. Boil uncovered 9 to 11 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender but not mushy. While water is heating and pasta is cooking, continue with recipe.
• Break off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus stalks where they snap easily; wash asparagus. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces to measure 2 cups. Add asparagus to the pasta during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
• Peel and finely chop the garlic. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes to measure about 2 cups. Tear the basil leaves lengthwise into narrow strips.
• Place strainer or colander in the sink. Pour pasta and asparagus in the strainer to drain. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• In a large glass or plastic bowl, toss pasta, asparagus and chicken. Stir in garlic, basil, cheese, oil and lemon peel. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

Steps:

• Heat shallot and oil in microwave safe covered dish for 30 seconds or in a small pan on the stovetop over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Allow oil to cool back to room temperature.
• Hold a spear of asparagus at each end and snap it. The spear breaks where the tender tops meet the tough bottoms. Line the broken spear up with the bundle of cleaned asparagus. Cut the spears using the guideline of the snapped spear. Par boil the asparagus tops in 1 inch simmering water covered for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool under cold running water and drain. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces on an angle and add to a bowl. Combine chopped, cooked asparagus with shredded endive, red bell pepper, cooked pasta, green peas and chopped parsley. The peas will defrost as you toss salad. Pour vinegar into a small bowl and whisk in cooled shallot oil. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper, to your taste and toss again.

Steps:

• I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
• The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a stockpot.
• Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain pasta and keep warm.
• Wash asparagus and remove and discard tough ends.
• Slice asparagus into one inch pieces.
• Cook asparagus in a large skillet in shallow water and steam for 1-2 minutes until crisp tender.
• Drain well and reserve.
• Chop chicken into one inch pieces.
• Cut grape tomatoes in half.
• Combine Italian dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add cooked pasta and asparagus to the Italian dressing and mix together until everything is evenly coated.
• Add chicken, tomatoes, basil, olives, and cheese and stir to combine.
• Serve pasta salad warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Cook the fetuchini and drain. Blanch the asparagus. Combine all the ingredients for the salad except the Basil Sauce. For the Basil Sauce: In a blender of food processor combine the basil and garlic and blend for a couple of minutes. Add the eggs and the next four ingredients. Blend. Add the sour cream and oil and blend until you get a smooth texture. Pour the Basil Sauce over the salad until you have the desired moistness. Toss and chill until ready to serve.

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, put shallots in a small bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and cayenne and let steep for 5 minutes. Add ginger and garlic, then whisk in sesame oil and vegetable oil. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Snap off the tough end of each asparagus spear, then cut each spear into 2-inch lengths. Cut thicker pieces in half lengthwise as necessary so all cut pieces are approximately the same size. Place asparagus pieces into boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Drain and cool under running water. Blot dry.
• To make the salad, put asparagus in a salad bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add chile, if using, and crushed peanuts. Dress with half the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
• Arrange dressed asparagus on a platter or on individual plates. Tear chicken slices into strips and scatter over asparagus. Drizzle a little more vinaigrette over the salad and give it a good squeeze of lime. Garnish with basil, mint and cilantro leaves and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with about 1" salted water. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Add potatoes, cover, and steam until just tender, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut breast meat from chicken, remove and discard skin, and slice on the bias into 1/2" slices. Remove legs from carcass, remove and discard skin, and slice meat off bones into 1/2" slices.
• Whisk mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, mustard, pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Add asparagus and chicken slices to potatoes in steamer, cover, and steam until asparagus is crisp-tender and chicken is warmed through, about 3 minutes. Transfer potatoes, asparagus, and chicken to a platter or plates and drizzle with dressing. Top with watercress and mint and serve with lemon wedges alongside.

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a large saucepan with enough water to cover; cook until crisp-tender. Drain and cool. In a large bowl, combine asparagus with the remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.