CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD WITH JALAPENO AND TOMATO DRESSING

CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD WITH JALAPENO AND TOMATO DRESSING image

Categories Chicken

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
2 tsp. ground cumin
3 Tbsp. red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
8 chicken thighs
Jalapeno and Tomato Dressing
4 tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1 small red onion
2 jalapenos or other fresh hot chili peppers
1 cup minced fresh mint leaves
1 cup minced fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp. red-wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper
8 ounces fusilli or other dry pasta
Mint and/or cilantro sprigs for garnish, optional

Steps:

Mince garlic and ginger. In a bowl, combine garlic, ginger, cumin, vinegar, oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Add chicken, stir to coat, and let stand at room temperature, stirring once or twice for at least 1 1/2 hours. For the dressing: Coarsely chop tomatoes and add to a large bowl. Mince garlic and onion. Stem, seed, and mince jalapenos. Mince mint and cilantro. Add garlic, onion, jalapenos, mint, and cilantro to bowl with the tomatoes. Stir in vinegar, oil, and 1 1/2 tsp. salt and let stand at room temperature, stirring once or twice, for at least 45 minutes. COOKING AND SERVING: Heat the grill. If using wood chips, soak a handful in water for 20 minutes. Put chips on fire. Grill the chicken, turning occasionally and brushing with marinade, until crisp and dark brown on both sides, about 15 minutes total. Or broil for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta until just tender. Drain and toss immediately with tomato mixture. Put on plates and top with chicken.