Sesame Chicken Salad with Spinach and Pasta
This recipe for Sesame Chicken Salad with Spinach and Pasta was a guest favorite at the New Life Hiking Spa.
New Life Hiking Spa (sadly, now closed as of 2021) advocated a respect for the nutritional value of food as well as it origin, seasonality, availability and freshness. Whenever possible, it served food that is raised locally, using sustainable techniques by farmers and purveyors who have a respect and love of the land on which we live.
The dining at New Life Hiking Spa in Vermont was energy-packed, low calorie gourmet cuisine deliciously prepared to help eliminate toxins and impurities from your system and help you lose weight. These recipes, shared with us by the New Life team, are still valuable tools for your wellness goals.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 436kcal
A very simple but flavor filled salad with pasta, chicken and savory vegetables.
Ingredients
- 6 oz. pasta twists or tubes
- ½ cup sesame seeds (or use peanuts, see note)
- ½ cup light sesame or extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Splenda Sugar Blend (or granulated sugar)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups cold , shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley
- ½ cup thinly sliced green onion
- 8 cups lightly packed torn fresh spinach (2 bunches)
Instructions
- Boil pasta, drain. Set aside to cool.
- Saute sesame seeds in ¼ cup oil in fry pan, stirring until golden.
- Remove seeds and set aside to cool, but leave oil in pan.
- To the pan, stir in remaining oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar or honey and pepper.
- Warm the sauce, and add the cooled seeds back to the sauce.
- Pour sesame sauce over cooked, cooled pasta
- Add shredded chicken and toss lightly.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- To serve, add parsley, onions and torn spinach.
- Toss gently again.
Spa Index Kitchen Notes
Try this dish with a handful of crunchy roasted peanuts (low or no salt) in place of sesame seeds if desired -- but only a modest handful to keep the fat calories under control. Skip the saute step, as well. Plus, you definitely need a reduced sodium soy sauce if you can find it.
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Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 436 kcal (22%) | Carbohydrates: 18 g (6%) | Protein: 23 g (46%) | Fat: 30 g (46%) | Sodium: 605 mg (26%) | Potassium: 537 mg (15%) | Fiber: 4 g (17%) | Sugar: 7 g (8%) | Vitamin A: 9600 IU (192%) | Vitamin C: 25.6 mg (31%) | Calcium: 70 mg (7%) | Iron: 3.4 mg (19%)