Black Bean-Chicken Pasta Salad With Creamy Cilantro Dressing

• olive oil↗2 teaspoons
• boneless skinless chicken breast↗1 lb

  sliced into 1/2-inch strips

• chili powder↗1 teaspoon
• garlic powder↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• rigatoni pasta↗2 cups

  medium tubes, 16 oz.

• large tomatoes↗1

  chopped (1 cup)

• black beans↗1 can

  rinsed and drained

• Creamy Cilantro Pesto Dressing (recipe follows)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Prepare dressing. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Cook chicken in hot oil for 6-8 minutes , stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in th center. Toss chicken, chili powder, garlic and salt. (add more seasonings to taste if you wish) Set chicken aside.

3. 3

   Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water.

4. 4

   Mix pasta, chicken,dressing, tomato and beans. Enjoy!

5. 5

   Creamy Cilantro-Pesto Dressing.

6. 6

   1 1/2 cups chopped cilantro (3/4 cup dried).

7. 7

   1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.

8. 8

   1/3 cups pine nuts.

9. 9

   1/3 cup olive oil.

10. 10

    1/4 cup whipping cream **.

11. 11

    1 teaspoons grated lemon peel.

12. 12

    1 TBSP.lemon juice ***.

13. 13

    1/8 teaspoons ground red pepper.

14. 14

    2 cloves garlic.

15. 15

    Place all above ingredients in a food processor or blender.

16. 16

    Cover and process until smooth.