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Home » Salads

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

Feb 17, 2023 · Modified: Apr 13, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe

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

Chicken pesto pasta salad in a bowl.
Table of Contents hide
1 Why you'll love this pesto pasta salad:
2 Ingredients:
3 How to make Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad:
4 Recipe pro tips:
5 Storage Instructions:
6 More salad recipes to make:
7 Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
7.1 Ingredients 1x2x3x
7.2 Instructions

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 cavatappi or fusilli pasta
  • chopped cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
  • arugula
  • cherry tomatoes, cut in fourths
  • red onion, diced
  • kalamata olives, chopped
  • parmesan cheese, grated
  • chopped pistachios
  • pesto - I used store bought pesto, but you can also make your own. Try this recipe out!
  • 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.

Whisking pesto in a measuring cup.

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

ingredients for chicken pesto pasta salad in a wooden 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 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 pistachios for pine nuts.
  • 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 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.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
Prep Time 6 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups dried cavatappi or fusilli pasta
  • 1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
  • 1 ½ cups arugula
  • ⅔ cup cherry tomatoes, cut in fourths
  • ¼ cup red onion, diced
  • ¼ cup kalamata olives, chopped
  • 2-4 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
  • ½ cup pesto - I used store bought pesto, but you can also make your own. Try this recipe out!
  • 1 ½ tablespoons 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.
  • Combine the pesto, 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 380 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 41mg14%
Sodium 548mg24%
Potassium 445mg13%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 1012IU20%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 109mg11%
Iron 1mg6%
* 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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    Arugula Quinoa Salad
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    Tuna Salad with Capers
  • Orzo Pesto Salad in a bowl with salad tongs.
    Orzo Pesto Salad 
  • Egg salad with greek yogurt on toast.
    Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Joan

    April 12, 2023 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    This is so good I've made it several times in the last two weeks. I substituted gluten free noodles, sunflower seeds instead of Pistachios, and green onions instead of red! Delicious! My very picky family also likes it. Would be a winner to take to a pot luck!! Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply
    • krista

      April 13, 2023 at 6:55 am

      Yay! 🙂

      Reply

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