Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
This chicken pesto pasta salad is a fresh and flavorful dish made with tender chicken, pasta, and vibrant pesto sauce. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, or quick lunches, this easy pasta salad is both hearty and refreshing.
Ingredients
- Salad
- 12 oz pasta rotini, penne, or bowtie
- 2 cups cooked chicken grilled or shredded
- ½ cup pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup mozzarella balls or cubes
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil optional
- Optional Add-Ins
- Spinach or arugula
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Olives
- Pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and basil.
- Add pesto and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Taste and adjust by adding more pesto if needed.
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes (optional).
- Toss again before serving and enjoy.
Notes
- Cook pasta until al dente for best texture.
- Rinse pasta to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
- Use high-quality pesto for best flavor.
- Add extra pesto or olive oil before serving if needed.
- Store in the fridge up to 3–4 days.