Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
A vibrant Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad with tender pasta, homemade basil pesto, succulent chicken, and fresh veggies—a celebration of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Chicken
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
- 1/2 cup homemade basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Prepare the chicken: Dice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and sear if desired.
- Make the pesto: Blend fresh basil, nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil until smooth.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and pesto. Toss gently and season with salt and pepper.
- Chill it: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve it up: Toss again before serving, top with Parmesan if desired.
Notes
This salad is versatile—substitute ingredients as desired. Perfect for picnics or meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: pasta salad, chicken pesto, summer salad, easy recipe, healthy meal prep