Chicken pasta salad

A recipe from our friends at Love Food Hate Waste

This fresh and satisfying chicken pasta salad from our friends at Love Food Hate Waste combines tender chicken, colourful vegetables and chickpeas with a lightly sweet chilli dressing.

Simple to prepare and full of flavour, it’s a great option for an easy lunch or light dinner to enjoy any day of the week.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ packet spiral pasta
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or 2 tsp crushed garlic)
• 500g chicken breast, cut into small chunks
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 tbsp fish sauce, oyster sauce or Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 tsp grated ginger (or 1 tsp crushed ginger)
• ½ cup sweet chilli sauce (if you don’t have sweet chilli sauce, see tip)
• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• ¼ of a cabbage, finely chopped
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Method

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and keep warm.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, half the garlic and the chicken. Fry for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for a further 5–10 minutes, or until the chicken and vegetables are cooked through.
4. In a bowl, mix together fish sauce (or alternative), soy sauce, lemon zest and juice, ginger, sweet chilli sauce, and the remaining garlic.
5. Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the chicken and vegetables, and cook together for about 30 seconds. Then remove the pan from the heat.
6. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, chickpeas, cabbage, and most of the spring onions (reserve some for garnish). Add in the chicken-vegetable mixture and give everything a good mix.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining spring onions.
8. Cooking tip: If you don't have sweet chilli sauce, combine 2 tablespoons honey, ½ cup of water and 1 teaspoon chilli powder as a substitute.
   
   

About Love Food Hate Waste NZ
Love Food Hate Waste NZ empowers Kiwis to waste less food, save money, and protect the planet. Through practical tips, clever storage solutions, and easy recipes, they help households make the most of their food—one meal at a time. Join the movement to reduce food waste at www.lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz