PASTA WITH CHICKEN, SPINACH, TOMATOES, AND FETA CHEESE

Pasta with Chicken, Spinach, Tomatoes, and Feta Cheese image

Categories Chicken Pasta Vegetable Salad Dinner Side Grill/Barbecue Quick & Easy Healthy

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

4 ounces dried whole grain or whole wheat penne pasta
1 Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
2 tablespoons Orange Juice
1 tablespoon Honey
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon canola oil or olive oil
1 pound grape tomatoes, halved (3 cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced
10 ounces fresh baby spinach
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (chevre) (3 ounces)
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
Meanwhile, lightly coat the rack of an indoor electric grill with cooking spray. Preheat grill. Place chicken on grill rack. If using a grill with a cover, close lid. Grill until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees 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.
For dressing, in a small bowl whisk together 3 tablespoons oil, vinegar, orange peel, orange juice, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper; set aside.
In a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and garlic; cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in pasta and chicken; remove from heat.
Gradually add spinach and dressing to chicken mixture, tossing gently until spinach is slightly wilted. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese and pine nuts.
**GRILL PAN DIRECTIONS: Place each chicken breast half between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound chicken lightly until about 1/2 inch thick. Remove plastic wrap. Coat a grill pan with nonstick cooking spray; heat pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until no longer pink (170 degrees F), turning
**To assemble the salad as shown in the photo, toss pasta with chicken and transfer to a large serving bowl. Heat the dressing before tossing with the spinach and tomato mixture; transfer to the serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese and pine nuts.