22 Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. This chicken pesto pasta salad is quick, easy, and a great way to use up leftover chicken. The perfect make-ahead salad for summer BBQs, potlucks, or easy entertaining. To make this pesto pasta salad really simple, I used rotisserie chicken. Ingredients you will need Pasta (gluten-free if needed) Italian salad dressing, homemade or store-bought Plain greek yogurt Pesto Sauce - We have a homemade pesto recipe to try, or you can use store-bought. Fresh basil leaves Cherry tomatoes Shredded parmesan cheese Chicken breast Garlic powder Italian seasoning Salt and pepper Olive oil
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Step by Step Instructions First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Rinse the cooked pasta with cold water and place in a large bowl. Toss together the cooked pasta, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!) cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and fresh baby spinach and arugula. Drain well. In a large bowl mix together the pasta, pesto, and Italian dressing. Add in the cooked chicken, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Chill and serve! So easy! I love how simple and quick this recipe is to put together. I shared with a bunch of my neighbors and it was a hit! Recipe Card Comments Why You'll Love this Pasta Salad! This chicken pesto pasta salad will be your new go-to weeknight meal! It comes together in just 20 minutes. Is delicious either warm or cold! Has less than 10 simple ingredients! You might also like this Tuscan chicken orzo or this Caprese pasta salad! Ingredient Notes Once drained, place the pasta in a large bowl and mix in fresh spinach, arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded chicken, and Parmesan cheese. Bind it all together with your favorite bottled Italian salad dressing and pesto sauce (whisked together) and then serve. Or chill and eat it straight from the fridge whenever your heart desires.
Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad Simply Stacie
Bring a large pot of salted (2 tablespoons of kosher salt per gallon) water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse until cold and set aside. Note: The only time I'd advise you to rinse pasta is when making pasta salad. Cook the pasta: Boil your pasta of choice according to the package directions. Remember to salt the water to infuse the pasta with flavor. Additionally, undercook it by about a minute for al dente perfection. Mix the pasta and pesto: After draining, immediately toss the pasta in the pesto sauce. The pasta should be cold when tossed with the remaining ingredients. Toast the walnuts - Place the walnuts on a small baking sheet or shallow dish and bake for 3 minutes at 350 degrees F to lightly toast. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad. Make the dressing - In a small bowl, combine the pesto with the olive oil and Greek. Fresh Basil Pesto Black olives Salt and Pepper How To Make Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad Step One: Cook pasta according to package directions. During the last 4 minutes of cooking time, add the broccoli to the pot. Drain. Add to a large bowl. Step Two: Add chicken, tomatoes, basil, olives, pesto and salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Pesto Pasta Recipe Runner
INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS shredded rotisserie chicken. I used two full chicken breasts in this salad which was about 3 cups. cooked pasta - rotini is the perfect choice for this recipe because the dressing sticks to this shape very well. You could use fusilli, bowtie pasta or penne. Prep: 20 mins Cook: 15 mins Serves: 4-6 Navigate This Post Win Over Every Potluck with this Fresh & Fun Pesto Pasta Salad! Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe Highlights Key Ingredients Easy Recipe Variations & Shortcuts Shop This Post Homemade Lemon Basil Pesto Sauce Lemony Grilled Chicken & Veggies Assembly & Serving Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad FAQs
Chicken breasts. This recipe is written for plain chicken breasts that you'll quickly season and cook yourself, but using shredded or diced pieces from a rotisserie chicken also works perfectly well. Pesto. See notes below for homemade vs. store-bought options. Mozzarella. Always! They're delicious, served cold (usually) and will always satisfy in the hot summer heat. This Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is one I made over the summer for a barbecue we hosted, and it was the first dish to go! Obviously, that meant it was a huge hit, and that I should have doubled the recipe. 🙂
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad Healthy Fitness Meals
Prepare the pasta: Fill a large bowl (big enough to hold cooked pasta) halfway with ice water. Boil pasta to package instructions. Drain pasta, rinse with cold water and shock the pasta by adding it to the cold water to get it cold fast. Once cold, drain the pasta, transfer to a large bowl and set aside. Combine all the ingredients (pasta. Quick Summary You only need 5-ingredients and 10 minutes to make this Pesto Chicken Salad. It's the perfect easy lunch, dinner, or snack. Serve it over a bed of greens, as a sandwich or wrap, or enjoy with crackers. I love simple salads that I can make for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner.
