Description
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a delightful dish bursting with flavor and vibrant colors. Featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, fresh basil, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy pesto dressing, this salad is perfect for any occasion—from backyard barbecues to potlucks. Easy to customize and quick to prepare, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked and diced boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown. Let cool before dicing.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, and pesto sauce; stir gently until well-coated.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For added crunch, consider mixing in bell peppers or spinach. Substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Use freshly made pesto for the best flavor.