Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 3 cups dried elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup cubed rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup diced English cucumber (about 1/3 cucumber)
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped pitted Nicoise olives
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers (about 1 whole)
• 1/2 cup 1/4-inch diced hard salami (about 4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup diced red onion (about 1/2 small)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 4 ounces ricotta salata, grated, or crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

First things first, grab a large pot and fill it with water. Add a generous pinch of kosher salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Toss in the elbow macaroni and cook it until it's perfectly al dente, following the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta in a colander, rinse it with cold water, and give it a good shake to get rid of excess water. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over it, and toss to coat.

Step 2: Mix the Salad

Now, it's time to bring in the flavors. Add the cubed rotisserie chicken, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped olives, roasted red peppers, diced salami, red onion, and fresh parsley to the bowl of pasta. Sprinkle a bit of salt and give everything a good toss to combine.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar and the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil. Pour this zesty dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure everything is nicely coated. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 4: Let It Rest

For the best flavor, let the salad stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This allows all the ingredients to meld together beautifully.

Enjoy!

And there you have it! A delightful Italian Chicken Pasta Salad that's perfect for any occasion. Whether it's a family dinner or a picnic in the park, this salad is sure to be a hit. Enjoy!