Spinach, Chicken, and Roasted Bell Pepper Salad

 Prep Time:  1 hour

2 - 10 oz. bags of spinach
1 red bell pepper, roasted and chopped
1/2 cup finely diced red onions
6 oz. can of medium olives
14 1/2 oz. can artichoke hearts, chopped
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
2 grilled chicken breasts, chopped
15 oz. can drained garbanzo beans

1.  Roast the bell pepper over medium heat on a grill for about 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.  Place in a covered container to let cool for a few minutes.  Remove lid and start peeling the charred skin from the bell pepper, discard the skin and seeds of the bell pepper, and then chop the bell pepper.

2.  Grill the chicken over medium heat, 8 minutes per side.  Let cool 5 minutes, then chop.

3.  Add the bell pepper and chicken to the remaining ingredients and toss.

Makes 8 - 10 main dish servings.

I am in love with this salad!  I found this salad on The Best Bites blog and can't get enough of it.

Pasta and Grilled Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Prep Time:  1 hour


Salad:
2 - 12 oz. packages of Wacky Mac or tri-colored noodles
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
4 medium carrots, sliced
6 oz. can medium olives
2 bunches of broccoli cut into bite-sized florets
16 oz. package of frozen petite peas
2 chicken breasts, grilled and cubed

Sauce:
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dry mustard
3 tsp poppy seeds
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar

1.  Boil the pasta until al dente (usually 1 - 2 minutes less than the package indicates.)  Add the broccoli, carrots,  and peas to the boiling pasta during the last 3 minutes.  Drain.  Rinse with cool water and place pasta and lightly cooked vegetables along with the raw vegetables and grilled chicken in a large serving bowl.

2.  Mix the sauce ingredients in a container with a lid and mix until fully blended.  Pour the sauce over the pasta and vegetables and serve.  (Can make the salad in advance and refrigerate until ready to eat.)

Servings:  8 - 10 main dish servings

I received this recipe from my neighbor, Melissa Adams, and our family loves this!