Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad

Ingredients and Weight:

1. Chicken breast fillet - 500 grams (1 pound)
2. Spaghetti - 400 grams (16 ounces)
3. Mandarin oranges - 2, segmented into sections
4. Red onion - 1, chopped
5. Almonds - 1/4 cup, crushed
6. Feta cheese - 100 grams (3.5 ounces), crumbled
7. Fresh basil - 1/4 cup, chopped
8. Extra virgin olive oil - 3 tablespoons
9. Balsamic vinegar - 2 tablespoons
10. Salt and pepper - to taste

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes
• Total: 50 minutes

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until tender. Drain and let cool.
2. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, cook the chicken breast in boiling water until fully cooked and shred into pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, chicken, mandarin orange sections, red onion, almonds, feta cheese, and fresh basil.
4. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar to create a dressing. Pour over the salad and season with salt and pepper.
5. Toss the salad gently to ensure everything is combined and coated with the dressing.
6. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming 8 servings total) Calories: 550kcal | Fat: 25g | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 35g | Fiber: 4g

Dish Characteristics:

• Fusion of Asian and Western flavors with the sweet-and-sour taste of mandarin oranges and the hearty texture of pasta salad.
• Brightly colored salad with fresh ingredients that compliment each other's flavors.
• Can be customized to individual tastes by adjusting the dressing or adding more/less of certain ingredients.

User Comments:

1. "This is an excellent fusion dish! The combination of flavors is really unique and refreshing."
2. "I love the addition of mandarin oranges in the salad, it gives it a fruity and sweet taste."
3. "The dressing is quite tasty! It brings all the flavors together."
4. "I added more chicken and less pasta to make it more filling."
5. "Great dish for a summer barbecue!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before mixing with the salad ingredients to prevent any food safety issues.
• Adjust the amount of dressing based on your preference for a more or less wet salad.
• If you want to add more protein, consider adding grilled shrimp or fish to the salad.