Gemelli Melon Chicken Salad

I love this chicken salad, which is a variation of an old favorite. The combination of sweet, juicy melon with crisp cherries and tender chicken and pasta is irresistible and very refreshing. Marinating the cooked chicken in orange juice adds wonderful flavor and keeps the chicken very moist.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 -6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 Tbsp. orange juice
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 cups strawberry yogurt
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 16 oz. pkg. gemelli pasta
• 1 ripe cantaloupe, cut into 1" pieces
• 2 cups pitted cherries

Preparation:

In large bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt and 1/3 cup orange juice and blend well. Refrigerate while preparing rest of salad.

Bake chicken breasts at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes if thawed and 60-70 minutes if frozen, until thoroughly cooked. Let cool until cool enough to handle. Cut chicken into 1" pieces, place in large bowl, and drizzle with 3 Tbsp. orange juice. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Then add yogurt, mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup orange juice; mix well. Refrigerate again while preparing pasta.

Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain, rinse briefly with warm water, then drain thoroughly. Stir cooked and drained pasta into the salad.

Gently stir cantaloupe and cherries into the salad. Chill 1-3 hours until cold. 8-10 servings

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