Description
This Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a light lunch, a picnic, or a potluck. Tender pasta, juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and a vibrant pesto sauce combine for a satisfying and easy-to-make salad.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (or more, to taste)
- 5 ounces cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water and drain well.
- Prep Ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, chop the chicken, tomatoes, and red onion.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, red onion, and pesto sauce. Toss gently to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the pasta salad immediately or chill for later.
Notes
- Serving Size: This recipe makes 6-8 servings, depending on appetite and desired portion size.
- Pasta: Feel free to use other pasta shapes like rotini, farfalle, or fusilli.
- Chicken: Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Pesto: Use your favorite homemade pesto recipe or a good quality store-bought pesto.
- Make Ahead: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 350kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
