Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
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.
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!
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.
