Orange Chicken and Pasta Salad

Brighten up your mealtime with this zesty and satisfying Orange Chicken and Pasta Salad! This vibrant recipe combines tender, glazed chicken infused with a tangy orange juice marinade and a hint of honey, paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Fresh vegetables like crisp red bell peppers, juicy cucumber, and sharp red onion add crunch and color, while fragrant parsley and orange zest elevate the flavor profile. Tossed together with a light olive oil dressing and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, this dish is as refreshing as it is hearty. Perfect for a quick dinner, meal prep, or your next potluck, this irresistible salad delivers a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and citrus flavors in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Orange juice
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 8 ounces Penne pasta
• 1 large Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Cucumber, diced
• 0.5 medium Red onion, finely sliced
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Orange zest
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, combine orange juice, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic to create the marinade.

Step 2

Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Step 3

While the chicken marinates, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and cook the chicken in the skillet for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and golden brown.

Step 5

Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened to create a glaze. Remove from heat and set the chicken aside to rest before slicing into strips.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced red bell pepper, cucumber, sliced red onion, and chopped parsley.

Step 7

Add the orange zest, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine.

Step 8

Top the pasta salad with the sliced glazed chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

Step 9

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before serving for a cooler salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1445.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2111.0

Total Fat 51.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 3217.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 261.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 69.5g
Protein 150.7g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 382.1mg	0%
Iron 19.0mg	0%
Potassium 3364.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.0%

Protein: 28.5%

Carbs: 49.5%