Description
Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this vibrant Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad. Featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a zesty homemade or store-bought pesto, this dish is a flavor-packed delight perfect for picnics, barbecues, or quick weeknight dinners. Bursting with fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, it’s as visually appealing as it is delicious. Easy to prepare and customizable for any occasion, this salad will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz fusilli or penne pasta
- 1 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until golden brown on both sides (6-7 minutes per side). Slice the cooked chicken.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, and pesto sauce. Toss gently until well-coated.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with extra olive oil if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg