Description

A fresh and zesty Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and vibrant basil pesto. This colorful, light, and satisfying meal is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or potluck favorites. Packed with balanced nutrition and customizable to your taste, it offers a burst of herbal goodness and delightful texture in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 tender chicken breasts, grilled or pan-seared
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Pasta

2 cups cooked penne or rotini pasta, drained and cooled

Pesto Sauce

1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (natural)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Vegetables & Additions

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced

Seasoning

Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Grill or pan-sear in a hot pan until cooked through and browned on the outside. Let cool, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Pasta: Boil penne or rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
Prepare the Vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the cucumber and red onion, and pit and slice the black olives. Set aside.
Mix the Pesto Sauce: In a bowl, whisk the fresh basil pesto (natural) with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil until slightly loosened to coat the pasta evenly.
Combine Everything: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, prepared vegetables, and pesto mixture until well coated and evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

Notes

Use fresh pesto (homemade or high-quality fresh basil pesto natural) for the best flavor.
Do not overcook pasta; keep it al dente for texture when chilled.
Chill salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Add delicate vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Adjust lemon juice gradually to brighten the dish and balance acidity.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Pan-searing
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad, Basil Pesto Pasta, Summer Pasta Salad, Quick Chicken Salad, Picnic Pasta Salad, Gluten Free Pasta Salad