Name: Pasta Salad with Curry Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 200 g pasta spiral; 250 g red cherry tomato; 150 g dried apricot; 1 package rocket; 150 g feta cheese; 3 pcs chicken fillet; 2 tbsp liquid margarine; 2 tsp curry powder; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp pepper; 4 tbsp mango and chili dressing or thai curry sauce

UntrainedChef

Tips from the kitchen

Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water after draining. It stops the cooking, cools it down fast, and keeps the spirals from clumping together while you prep everything else.
Fry the curry powder in the margarine for about 30 seconds before the chicken goes in. You'll smell when it's ready. That step is what gives the chicken its depth rather than just tasting like raw spice.
Cut the apricots into thin strips, not chunks. Big pieces of dried apricot can be a bit much in one bite. Strips distribute better through the salad.
The chicken goes on top warm, not mixed in cold. If you toss it all together too early, the rocket wilts and the feta turns into a paste. Assemble right before you eat.
Taste the dressing before you pour it. Mango chili and Thai curry sauces vary a lot by brand. Some are sweet, some are sharp. Four tablespoons is a starting point, not a rule.

Ways to vary it

You can swap the rocket for baby spinach if you want something milder. Rocket has a bite that works well here, but spinach holds up better if the salad is sitting out for a while.
Halloumi instead of chicken makes this a solid vegetarian version. Slice it thick, season with the same curry and salt, and fry it the same way. It takes about the same time.
A handful of toasted pine nuts or cashews scattered on top adds some crunch. Completely optional, but it works well with the apricot and feta.

Storage & leftovers

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The rocket will wilt by day two, so if you're making it ahead, store the greens separately and add them when you serve. This doesn't freeze well. The pasta goes mushy and the feta turns grainy.