Chicken Pasta Salad

This is one of those few recipes that I can truly call my own. It's colorful, it's easy, it's good. How good is it? Let's just say it's in the top 5 of every single one of my kids' favorite meal list. If that hasn't convinced you to try it yet, did I also mention it's chock full of fresh vegetables? And that it's easy to make?

Click here for printable recipe.

The ingredients:

1 lb. cooked, shredded chicken (I usually use a 12-ounce can of chicken)
1 lb. cooked rotini noodles (or bow tie)
2 heads broccoli, finely chopped (the smaller the better)
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/3 onion, chopped
1 can sliced olives
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
1/3 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing (don't skip this--it's what holds it all together)

Italian Dressing:
2 envelopes dry Italian dressing mix
6 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
4-1/2 Tbs. water
3/4 cup oil (you can reduce this some)

Combine cooled chicken, chopped vegetables, and olives. Set aside. Whisk together Italian dressing ingredients and pour over vegetables and chicken. Mix together. Add ranch dressing and cheese and fold together. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving (I usually am not organized enough to do this and it still gets devoured). Serves 8 - 10.

*This is one of those meals that's actually even better as leftovers. My kids beg for me to put it in their lunches.

Enjoy!

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