Chicken pesto pasta salad is a quick and easy dish for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, side dish, or main course, this flavorful salad will satisfy your cravings.
Packed with protein and fresh ingredients, it's also a nutritious option that can be customized to fit your taste.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- This pesto pasta salad can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a hassle-free weeknight dinner.
- The combination of pesto with the savory chicken and fresh veggies creates a burst of flavors that's sure to delight.
- This pasta salad is a great way to use up leftover chicken.
- It's a versatile dish that can be served warm or cold, so it's just as good the next day – if you have any leftovers!
One of my favorite things about this dish is its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal in no time.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes
- Pasta - Any type of pasta can be used for this recipe. I prefer short and sturdy shapes like penne, fusilli, or bow ties.
- Italian salad dressing - Use your favorite bottled dressing or whip up an Italian dressing packet according to the directions for this salad.
- Fresh baby spinach adds a vibrant color and a dose of healthy greens to the salad. If you're not a fan of spinach, arugula or kale are excellent substitutes.
- Pesto sauce - Choose a high-quality store-bought basil pesto, or for an even fresher taste, make your own with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil.
- Cooked chicken - Leftover grilled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe. It's a good way to use up leftovers!
- Cherry tomatoes - These little bursts of sweetness complement the pesto and add a juicy texture. Halved grape tomatoes are also a good option.
- Crumbled Feta - The tangy and salty flavors of feta cheese balance out the creaminess of the pesto. If you're not a fan, try shredded Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese.
- Red onion - Adds a sharp flavor and a pop of color to the salad. If you're not a fan, try thinly sliced shallots or skip them altogether.
- Sliced avocado - Optional but highly recommended! Avocado adds a creamy texture and healthy fats to the salad. If you're making this ahead of time, add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
🥣 Equipment
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- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Collander
- Large bowl
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a large pot with salty water on medium-high heat, cook pasta per package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a deep bowl combine cooked pasta, Italian dressing, and pesto then mix well.
- Add spinach, chicken, feta and onions. Mix everything well.
- Serve topped with some fresh basil leaves or a sliced avocado.
💡 Tips
- You can use homemade or store-bought pesto for this recipe. I've found that store-bought has better flavor but if you are in a hurry store-bought will work great as well.
- For even more flavor, try roasting the cherry tomatoes next time you make this add. It will add a delicious level of flavor to your salad.
- This is a great recipe to use up a leftover rotisserie chicken. If you don't have one in the fridge you can use any type of cooked chicken that you have. Or bake or poach some chicken breasts to use in this recipe.
💬 FAQs
The ideal pasta for a pesto dish is one with nooks and crannies to catch all that delicious sauce. Traditional choices include rotini, fusilli, or bow-tie pasta, but you can experiment with your favorite shapes.
Pesto can be tossed with pasta that is either hot or cold, depending on the dish you’re preparing. Our chicken pesto pasta salad is typically mixed with pasta that has cooled to room temperature.
Heating pesto isn’t necessary before adding it to the pasta as it is a raw sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese, and olive oil.
🧺 Storage
Refrigerate - This dish is perfect for storing in your refrigerator. Simply place leftover pasta salad in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh for up to 3–4 days. You might want to add a little extra pesto before serving.
Make ahead - Be sure to add the avocado, spinach and fresh basil just before serving to maintain their crispness and texture.
Freeze - Due to the fresh ingredients in this pesto pasta salad recipe I don't recommend freezing it. The texture of the pasta and vegetables will suffer after thawing. It's best to enjoy this dish fresh.
⌛ Make Ahead
The beauty of this chicken pesto pasta salad lies in its ability to be prepped in advance, saving you precious time for those busy or lazy days. For best results, you can cook the pasta and mix it with the Italian dressing and homemade pesto up to two days ahead.
When you're ready to serve, just toss in the spinach, chicken, feta, and onions. Right before plating, garnish with cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, and a sprinkling of fresh basil to give it that garden-fresh taste.
🍽️ Serve With
This salad pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, complementing different flavors and textures. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next meal:
- A platter of Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables makes for a healthy and colorful side.
- No salad is complete without the crunchy, buttery goodness of Air Fryer Garlic Bread.
- Round off your meal with a refreshing Fruit Salad featuring seasonal favorites for a sweet and light finish.
👩🍳 Variations
- Substitute the chicken for grilled tofu or chickpeas to make a protein-rich vegan version, and use a dairy-free pesto and cheese alternative.
- Elevate this dish by adding chilled, cooked shrimp for a fancy yet effortless upgrade.
- Any short pasta would work well for this recipe.
- For an added texture, sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or crushed walnuts on top before serving.
- Swap out the Italian dressing for a Greek vinaigrette, use kalamata olives instead of cherry tomatoes, and add diced cucumber for a Mediterranean flair.
- No feta? no problem, use fresh mozzarella pearls for a different flavor and texture.
📣 Related Recipes
- Tabouli Salad is a refreshing Middle Eastern salad that makes a delicious side or light main dish.
- Fattoush Salad is a popular Lebanese salad made with crispy pita chips and fresh vegetables.
- This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a protein-packed version of the classic Middle Eastern salad, perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
- Here is a refreshing Mediterranean watermelon salad with arugula, feta and mint. This salad stands out at potlucks and disappears fast.
- A crowd pleasing, filling salad, creamy and colorful, this Chicken Macaroni Salad is packed with flavor and perfect for a potluck or side dish. You won't believe how easy it is.
Delicious Pasta Recipes
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a delicious springtime meal for when you are craving light yet flavorful, creamy dishes. Best part is, this recipe is done in under 30 minutes!
- Fresh and flavorful Zesty Italian Pasta Salad with fresh mozzarella, veggies and olives. So tasty and easy to make especially with our homemade Italian dressing.
- Skip the mayo and take your pasta salad to the next level with this Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad. Delicious and loaded with fresh and colorful ingredients like tomatoes, olives, artichokes and fresh herbs.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- ⅔ cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- ¾ cup pesto
- 2 cups cooked chicken cubed or shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- ½ red onion sliced
Optional for serving:
- 1 sliced avocado
Instructions
- In a deep pot with salty water, cook pasta per package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a deep bowl combine pasta, Italian dressing and pesto then mix well.
- Add spinach, chicken, feta and onions. Mix everything well.
- Serve topped with some fresh basil leaves or a sliced avocado.
Notes
Nutrition
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