Description
Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a delightful, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and vibrant basil pesto, all mixed with fresh veggies for a refreshing meal. This versatile recipe is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or quick weeknight dinners. With its colorful presentation and enticing aroma, it’s sure to become a favorite among family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 medium cucumber (diced)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the chicken in boiling salted water for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove and chop.
- In another pot, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine chopped chicken, cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and pesto. Mix well.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg