Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

• 4 ounces dried whole wheat rotini pasta
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 ½ cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup finely chopped red onion (1 large)
• 1 medium mango, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 medium avocado, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• ¾ cup chopped yellow sweet pepper (1 medium)
• ¾ cup chopped red sweet pepper (1 medium)
• 1 fresh jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped*
• Lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

• Step 2

  Meanwhile, for dressing, in a blender combine lime juice, cilantro, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Cover and blend about 30 seconds or until well mixed. Set aside.

• Step 3

  Lightly coat the rack of an indoor electric grill with cooking spray. Preheat grill. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Place chicken on grill rack. If using a grill with a cover, close lid. Grill until chicken is no longer pink (170°F). (For a covered grill, allow about 6 minutes. For an uncovered grill, allow 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling.) Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.

• Step 4

  In a large bowl combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, red onion, mango, avocado, sweet peppers, and jalapeño pepper. Pour dressing over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. If desired, serve with lime wedges.