Description
This Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Tender chicken, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and a vibrant homemade pesto come together with pasta for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (grilled, shredded, or rotisserie)
- 3 cups pasta of choice (fusilli, penne, or bowtie)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup fresh mozzarella balls or crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup baby spinach or arugula
- ¼ cup pine nuts or almonds (for crunch)
For the Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Season and cook the chicken until fully done. Let it rest and then slice or shred.
- Step 3: Make the Pesto Blend basil, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and pine nuts until smooth.
- Step 4: Assemble the Salad Combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, onion, and spinach. Toss with pesto and add nuts.
- Step 5: Chill & Serve Let the salad sit for flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a day.
- You can customize the ingredients to suit your preferences, such as adding olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Mixing, Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad, Easy Pasta Salad Recipe, Pesto Salad with Chicken
