Print

Italian Chicken and Green Bean Salad

Buttermilk, a low fat milk, helps create a lighter dressing.
Servings 10 cups
Prep Time

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 lbs dry gemelli pasta
  • 1/2 lbs green beans, cut into thirds
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup julienned radishes
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions including some tops
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Wisantigo Asiago cheese
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • fresh basil sprigs

Basil Buttermilk Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Arrange chicken in zipper closure food storage bag; add Italian dressing. Seal bag; refrigerate, turning bag occasionally, several hours or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Spray grill rack with no stick cooking spray. Using direct heat cooking method, arrange chicken breasts 4-5 inches over medium-hot coals. Sprinkle with salt. Grill, covered, turning once, until juices run clear (9-11 minutes). Cool; cut in half lengthwise and then crosswise into thin strips. Cook pasta according to package directions until just tender (10-12 minutes); drain. Rinse with cold water; drain. Meanwhile, cook green beans in boiling salted water until crisp-tender (5-7 minutes); drain. Rinse with cold water; drain. Combine chicken, pasta, green beans, red pepper, radishes, onions and cheese. Gently fold Basil Buttermilk Dressing into pasta mixture. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or overnight.
  2. To Serve: Stir in pine nuts. Spoon into serving bowl; garnish with basil sprigs.