Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad Dressed in Balsamic Vinaigrette

Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4+ garlic cloves, chopped finely or minced

2 packets of Equal (or may use 2 Tbs agave nectar)

a pinch of salt

a pinch of ground pepper

dried Italian seasonings, optional

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl or mini-food processor or blender. Mix well.

2. Coat a spoon with the dressing and taste, adjusting any of the ingredients to one's personal taste.

Salad Ingredients 

1 lb of cooked whole wheat pasta: bowtie, penne or wagon wheel, cool and drained

1 handful of chopped cilantro or Italian parsley

1 cup black olives, chopped or sliced

3 cups of meat from 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped in bite-size chunks

Several green onions, chopped

1 pkg grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

2 cups of fresh spinach leaves

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

feta or gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Adjust any of the above ingredients for color, presentation, and the # of servings needed.

Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over salad and serve with toasted Italian bread, like ciabatta.