This chicken pesto pasta salad is light, healthy and packed with fresh basil pesto flavor! Make ahead for BBQs, summer potlucks, brunches, easy lunches & more!
More pasta salad recipes we love during the summer include Caprese pasta salad, chicken Caesar salad recipe and orzo pasta salad!
Table of Contents
Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken
This chicken pesto pasta salad combines cooked chicken and pasta with a vibrant pesto dressing. Packed full of mouthwatering taste from the basil pesto, tender chicken and al dente pasta, it’s the perfect choice for lunch, dinner or the perfect recipe to bring to a BBQ.
I first had this dish at a lunch place and knew immediately I wanted to recreate it at home. This pasta salad recipe with it’s flavorful combination of ingredients turned out DELICIOUS! It’s light, healthy and even husband-approved!
Modifications for Pesto Pasta Salad
- Cheese. Can sub the feta with cubes of mozzarella if preferred.
- Pasta. I typically use bow tie pasta, but penne or rotini would work great too. Feel free to use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Chicken. Shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken all work great in this recipe.
- Pesto. Store bought pesto works great, but I love to use my easy homemade basil pesto or vegan pesto.
- Dressing. Instead of Italian dressing, you can use 1/2 Tablespoon ranch seasoning mixed with 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt.
- Extras. Feel free to add in extras, like sundried tomatoes, diced avocado or pine nuts for a little crunch.
Make Ahead and Storing
Making in advance: You can absolutely prepare this dish ahead of time if preferred. Storing it in the fridge for a few hours beforehand actually gives the flavors time to marinate together a little more. If you’re worried about the spinach and tomatoes getting soggy, feel free to just toss them in right before serving. If the pasta dries out a little while chilling, simply add another Tablespoon of olive oil (or Italian dressing) prior to serving.
Storing: Store this salad covered in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Always make sure to give it a stir before serving so that you get the perfect amount of flavor in every bite!
FAQs
While you can serve this warm right after making like I do with my chicken pesto pasta, I prefer it cold! As this pesto pasta salad chills in the fridge it gives the salad time to develop even more flavor.
Sure! I love my homemade pesto recipe, but you can save time and just purchase it.
You can store it covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
You can rehydrate pasta salad with a splash of the Italian dressing combined with pesto, just the Italian dressing or even just some olive oil.
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
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Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 package bow tie pasta
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup basil pesto , jarred or homemade
- ¼ cup Italian dressing
- 1 cup chicken , grilled, canned or rotisserie
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup feta cheese
Instructions
- 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.
- Put the pasta in a large serving bowl and stir in the pesto and Italian dressing. Add the spinach, chicken, tomatoes and 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
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, American, Chicken, Chicken, Dinner, Pasta, Pasta Salad, Salads, Side Dishes
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Delicious! Love those flavors…..it tasted super light and refreshing.
Yummy! This salad didn’t disappoint at our potluck this weekend. Everyone loved how tasty and very delicious this was. Such a flavorful salad and a big hit! Will be making this again!
We are a pesto loving family! I wish we had leftovers but next time I will make more!
You can never have too much pesto! ;)
Easy and tasty.
Thanks for your comment and review, Pam :)