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Home » Salads

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

Feb 17, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is super easy to make and absolutely delicious! This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes.

Pesto chicken pasta salad in a bowl.

Why you'll love this pesto pasta salad:

This is a fool proof recipe. Basically, all you have to do is combine the ingredients.

We're cutting corners with store bought pesto. You can even use store bought rotisserie chicken for this salad.

This is the perfect recipe to bring to any get together.

It's loaded with protein, healthy fats and carbs to keep you feeling full and satiated.

Ingredients in chicken pesto pasta salad.

Ingredients:

  • dried fusilli pasta
  • shredded chicken - I used my own shredded chicken recipe, but you can also shred or cut rotisserie chicken.
  • arugula
  • cherry tomatoes, cut in fourths
  • red onion, diced
  • kalamata olives, chopped
  • parmesan cheese, shaved, shredded or grated
  • pine nuts
  • pesto - I used store bought pesto, but you can also make your own. Try this recipe out!
  • reserved starchy pasta water 
  • fresh lemon juice
  • garlic powder
  • salt and pepper

A complete list of ingredients, amounts and instructions is located on the recipe card below.

How to make Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad:

This is an overview of the recipe with photos. Complete instructions are located on the recipe card below.

Pasta in a colander.

Boil the pasta according to the package's instructions.

Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it with cold water.

Reserve 1 tablespoon of the starchy pasta water. 

Pesto in a container.

Combine the pesto, starchy pasta water, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Ingredients for pesto pasta salad in a bowl.

Add the rinsed pasta to a bowl with all of the other ingredients.

Pour the pesto mixture over the top, combine and enjoy!

Chicken pesto pasta salad in a wooden bowl.

Recipe pro tips:

Store bought pesto is typically darker in color compared to freshly made pesto. The color will be more vibrant if you use fresh pesto.

If you let the salad sit in the fridge, the pasta will soak up the pesto mixture. Add a little extra pesto and mix before serving.

Change up the ingredients!

  • Use sundried tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes.
  • Use spinach instead of arugula.
  • Swap out pine nuts for pistachios.
  • Get creative!

Storage Instructions:

Store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

More salad recipes to make:

  • Tahini Kale Salad
  • Burrata Arugula Salad
  • Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad (No Mayo)
  • Arugula Pear Salad with Prosciutto
  • Kale Crunch Salad (Chick-Fil-A Copycat!)

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Chicken pesto pasta salad in a wooden bowl.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is super easy to make and absolutely delicious! This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 6 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 404 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups dried fusilli pasta
  • 1 ½ cups shredded chicken  - I used my own shredded chicken recipe, but you can also shred or cut rotisserie chicken.
  • 1 ½ cups arugula
  • ⅔ cup cherry tomatoes, cut in fourths
  • ¼ cup red onion, diced
  • ¼ cup kalamata olives, chopped
  • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, shaved, shredded or grated
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • ½ cup pesto - I used store bought pesto, but you can also make your own. Try this recipe out!
  • 1 tablespoon reserved starchy pasta water 
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Boil the pasta according to the package's instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it with cold water. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the starchy pasta water. 
  • Combine the pesto, starchy pasta water, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Add the rinsed pasta to a bowl with all of the other ingredients. Pour the pesto mixture over the top, combine and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 404 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 632mg27%
Potassium 440mg13%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 1027IU21%
Vitamin C 10mg12%
Calcium 176mg18%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This nutrition information is an estimate and should not be taken as fact. The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.

Tried this recipe?Tell me how it was!

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