Recipe

Chicken & watercress pasta salad

This chicken and watercress pasta salad is fresh, zesty and ready in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for your next lunch get together.

Oct 28, 2020 1:00pm
  • 30 mins cooking
  • Serves 4
    • Print
    Print

Ingredients

Chicken & watercress pasta salad
  • 500 gram short pasta
  • 180 gram green beans, trimmed, sliced diagonally
  • 2 cup (240g) frozen peas
  • 3 cup (480g) shredded cooked skinless chicken
  • 4 cups (160g) firmly packed trimmed watercress
  • 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, loosely packed
  • 3/4 cup (60g) flaked natural almonds
Lemon and watercress dressing
  • 2 cups firmly packed trimmed watercress
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Method

Chicken & watercress pasta salad
  • 1
    Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water for 1 minute less than packet instructions state, or until pasta is slightly firmer than al dente. Drain, rinse under cold running water, drain.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, make lemon and watercress dressing. Blend or process ingredients until smooth, season to taste.
  • 3
    Boil, steam or microwave beans and peas, separately, until vegetables are just tender, drain. Refresh in a bowl of iced water, drain, then transfer to a large bowl.
  • 4
    Add pasta, chicken, watercress and parsley to bowl. Toss gently to combine. Place salad on a large platter or divide among bowls. Top with almonds. Drizzle with dressing.

Notes

You could substitute another small pasta for the pasta shells. You will need 2 bunches of watercress. For a modern look, split the green beans in half lengthways and arrange with other ingredients in individual containers, then drizzle with dressing. Do ahead: Recipe can be prepared 8 hours ahead up to the end of step 4.

The Latest from Australian Women's Weekly Food

More From Women's Weekly Food