Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
This vibrant Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad combines tender cooked chicken, fresh mozzarella pearls, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, and a zesty basil pesto dressing. The fusilli pasta is cooked al dente and chilled, creating a refreshing and flavorful cold salad perfect for lunch, picnics, or light dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 8 ounces fusilli pasta (cavatappi, bow-ties, or other short pasta)
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls (drained)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
Dressing
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 lemon (juiced)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli pasta until it is al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool the noodles. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing or serving bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the diced cooked chicken, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, fresh mozzarella pearls, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion to the bowl with the pasta. Gently toss all the ingredients together to combine evenly without breaking the cheese pearls or tomatoes.
- Add Dressing: Pour the basil pesto and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the pasta mixture. Using a rubber spatula, stir gently to coat all ingredients thoroughly with the pesto dressing. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, additional lemon juice, or more pesto as desired.
- Serve or Chill: Garnish the pasta salad with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately as a refreshing cold pasta salad or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This dish is delicious served cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use any short pasta shape you prefer such as cavatappi, bow-ties, or rotini.
- Cooked rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut for the diced chicken.
- For best flavor, use high-quality basil pesto or homemade if possible.
- Chilling the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Optional additions include pine nuts or olives for extra texture and taste.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Keywords: Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad, Cold Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Summer Salad, Chicken Salad, Pesto Recipe
Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/chicken-pesto-pasta-salad-recipe/
