This chicken pesto pasta salad is made with juicy chicken, tender pasta, and fresh basil pesto. A flavorful, make-ahead dish for summer BBQs, potlucks, or a weeknight dinner.

Close-up of chicken pesto pasta salad with juicy chicken and basil pesto on a plate.

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Why I Love this Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Chicken pesto pasta salad combines cooked chicken and pasta with vibrant pesto, juicy tomatoes and creamy feta cheese. It’s protein-packed, light and fresh, and ready in only 20 minutes. Serve it as an easy lunch, a light dinner or a side dish to bring to a BBQ.

I first had a pasta salad with chicken and pesto at a local café and knew I had to recreate it at home. This easy pasta salad recipe comes together fast and is just as good cold as it is warm, which makes it a favorite alongside my Caprese pasta salad and orzo pasta salad.

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredient Notes

Cooked chicken, pasta, pesto, spinach, tomatoes, olive oil, feta cheese and ranch dressing on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Pasta. I typically use bow tie pasta, but penne, fusilli, cavatappi or rotini would work great too. Feel free to use gluten-free pasta if needed.
  • Cheese. I love the salty, savory feta but cubes of fresh mozzarella or freshly shredded Parmesan can be used. Omit cheese for a dairy-free version.
  • Chicken. Shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken all work great in this recipe.
  • Pesto. Store bought pesto sauce works great, but I love to use my easy homemade basil pesto or if needed use a vegan pesto.
  • Dressing. I used my homemade ranch dressing for a creamier salad but Italian dressing can be used instead.
  • Add-ins: Halved cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes), fresh baby spinach and fresh basil leaves.

How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

Cook the bow tie pasta in salted water until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water. Drizzle cooked pasta with olive oil and toss to prevent sticking.

Cooked bow tie pasta in a pot.

Add the pasta to a large bowl and mix in the pesto and dressing. Stir in the spinach, chicken, tomatoes, and feta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cooked chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, feta and pasta tossed with pesto in a bowl.

Cover and chill. Before serving add a little more olive oil if it looks dry. Enjoy this flavorful chicken pesto pasta salad for your next potluck or picnic!

Pesto pasta salad with chicken in clear serving bowl.

Recipe Tips

  • Cook the pasta until soft, not al dente. Since this salad is served cold, fully cooking the pasta (rather than leaving it al dente) helps it stay soft and moist once chilled.
  • Rinse and toss the pasta with olive oil. Rinsing removes excess starch, while a little olive oil prevents clumping and helps the dressing coat the pasta more evenly.
  • Serve it cold or warm. Serve it warm right after making like I do with my chicken pesto pasta, or chill it in the fridge to develop even more flavor.
  • Extras. Feel free to add in extras, like sundried tomatoes, diced avocado or pine nuts for a little crunch.
  • Make it ahead. This salad is even better made a few hours early so the flavors have time to meld. If you’re worried about the spinach and tomatoes softening, toss those in right before serving. Add a splash of olive oil or Italian dressing if it looks dry after chilling.
Colorful chicken pesto pasta salad served in a large clear bowl with serving spoon.

Other salads we can’t get enough of include this recipe for Caesar salad, pasta salad with spinach and this cobb salad recipe!

More Pasta Salad Recipes

Pesto pasta salad with chicken in clear serving bowl.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

5 from 15 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
This chicken pesto pasta salad is made with juicy chicken, tender pasta, and fresh basil pesto. A flavorful, make-ahead dish for summer BBQs, potlucks, or a weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces bow tie pasta
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup basil pesto , jarred or homemade
  • ⅓ cup Homemade ranch , or Italian dressing
  • 1-2 cups chicken , grilled or rotisserie
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes , sliced in half
  • ½ cup feta cheese

Optional toppings: Pine nuts, fresh basil

Instructions

  • Cook pasta. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water. Drain the pasta and run it under water. Drizzle with olive oil and stir around.
  • Combine. Put the pasta in a large serving bowl and stir in 1 cup pesto and 1/3 cup homemade ranch or Italian dressing. Add 2 cups spinach, 1-2 cups chicken, 1 pint tomatoes and 1/2 cup feta cheese. Toss to combine. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover and refrigerate. If the pasta seems dry before serving, you can stir in another tablespoon of olive oil. Then serve and enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Substitutions: You may substitute feta with mozzarella balls. Other types of pasta will also work, such as penne or rotini. 
Homemade pesto: Here is my favorite homemade basil pesto recipe.
Storing: This salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 493mg, Potassium: 335mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1677IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 123mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.