Chicken Farfalle Florentine Salad

$10.00, serves 12 (half the recipe for smaller families, or use it for planned leftovers.)

1 pkg. farfalle pasta, cooked {1.00}

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast {$4.00}

3 medium fresh tomatoes {$.75}

Red onion {.50}

11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained {.75}

8 oz. fresh spinach {$2.00}

Dressing (I did not break down the prices, but I’m pretty sure all of them together are less than $1.00 total. )

4 T. sesame oil (total, including amount used to cook chicken)

2 T. soy sauce

4 T. rice wine vinegar

1 T. honey

salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder

This comes together quickly!  Cook the pasta, chop the onion and tomato, drain the oranges.  Toss it all together in a big bowl, add the spinach, and toss.  Place in the fridge.

Season your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.  Heat 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a pan, and cook the chicken over medium heat until done.  Remove the chicken breasts and let rest for a few minutes.

Make the dressing, starting with the drippings.  Turn the skillet up to medium high and cook until bubbling.  Turn burner off.  Add the rest of the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey.  It’s easiest if you use the same tablespoon and go in that order.  Stir and cook until thoroughly mixed, adding garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, to taste.  A little lime juice will perk up the flavor nicely, too (but my boys don’t like that.)  Play with the dressing to tailor it to your liking.  Do you like it tangy?  Add more vinegar.  Spicy?  Add some!  This makes a very lightly dressed salad.  Double it if you like things really “saucy”.

When chicken and dressing have cooled, slice the chicken into bite sized pieces and add to salad.  Toss with dressing and refrigerate.

Tip: I buy prewashed organic spinach in a clamshell tub for $3.99.  We can eat a pound of fresh spinach (it’s a lot – 8-10 cups at least) before it goes bad, and it’s cheaper to *for me* to buy it in bulk.  Your spinach cost can vary considerably, depending on if you buy organic or conventional, bunches or bags.

Tip: I buy the all natural, hormone and antibiotic free boneless chicken breast which is pricey.  If you use conventionally raised chicken, your cost will be even less than I’ve recorded.

Tip: This salad is about half pasta, half salad.  Adjust amounts accordingly to suit your tastes or stretch for a crowd.

Make it cheaper! Use leftover chicken from a rotisserie or roasted whole chicken.

Make it faster! Use bottled Asian Sesame dressing.

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