Curried Chicken & Pasta Salad

By Coppermouse

To poach chicken breasts: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a medium skillet or saucepan and add lightly salted water to cover; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces large whole-wheat pasta shells
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds (1/2 ounce)
• 1 tablespoon curry powder preferably Madras
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt or reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/3 cup mango chutney
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground cayenne pepper or to taste
• 2 cups cooked chicken cut into 1-inch pieces (see Tip)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions (4 scallions)
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. Set aside.

Toast almonds in a small dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Return the pan to the stovetop and add curry powder. Toast, stirring constantly, over low heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in mayonnaise, yogurt, chutney, turmeric, cinnamon and ground red pepper.

Combine chicken, raisins, scallions, celery and the reserved pasta in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper and ground red pepper. Garnish with the toasted almonds.