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Tortellini Pasta Salad

This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a delicious combination of tender and cheesy tortellini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, crispy bacon, savory chicken and sweet mandarin oranges drizzled with a sweet and tangy dressing for a light but amazingly satisfying meal.
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword tortellini pasta salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 487kcal

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 1 pound refrigerated tortellini
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1 15 oz can mandarin oranges in 100% juice
  • 6 ounce bag baby spinach
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium cucumber quartered

For the Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook tortellini according to package directions making sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add chicken and cook on both sides for approximately 4-5 minutes or until center is no longer pink. Allow to rest for 5 minutes and then cut into bite size cubes. Set aside.
  • Cook bacon in the skillet you used to cook the chicken until brown and crispy. Set aside to cool and then chop into small pieces.
  • Drain mandarin oranges. Roughly chop spinach, cut cherry tomatoes in half, and quarter the cucumber.
  • To Assemble: In a large serving bowl, add tortellini, chicken, bacon, mandarin oranges, spinach, cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Gently stir to combine.

For the Dressing:

  • In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and vinegar to a boil. Turn heat to medium and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add oil, salt, paprika, and oregano. Whisk until blended.
  • Pour the dressing over the tortellini and gently stir until everything is coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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