Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad: Easy And Delicious Recipe — Lots of Love Mariam (2024)

Looking for delicious and creamy chicken pesto pasta salad recipes? Try this delicious and easy chicken pesto tomato salad for a nutritional lunch.

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Ah, spring and summer – the perfect seasons for enjoying a refreshing cold pasta salad. There’s just something about those warmer days that calls for a dish that’s cool, satisfying, and doesn’t require heating up the kitchen. Enter: pasta salads. They’re quick, easy to make, and can be prepped ahead in batches to enjoy throughout the week.

Last year, I shared my BLT chicken pasta salad recipe, which is one of my very popular recipes (you can check it out HERE). This year, as the warmer weather is fast approaching, I couldn’t resist sharing another favourite of mine: my chicken pesto pasta salad. It’s bursting with flavour, packed with protein, and incredibly simple to make – making it perfect for meal prepping or grabbing on the go.

In this blog post, I’ll not only walk you through how to make this delicious creamy chicken pesto pasta salad but also offer some ideas for customizing it to suit your taste. Whether you’re craving extra veggies, cheese, or some crunch there’s something for everyone.

I hope you enjoy this creamy pesto pasta salad as much as we do! Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below to let me know your thoughts. And if you decide to share your creation on Instagram, be sure to tag me @lotsoflovemariam – I’d love to see it!

This post is all about a delicious chicken pesto pasta salad recipe!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Customizable: Easily switch up ingredients or add extras for a boost of nutrients. Check out some ideas at the end of this post, right before the recipe card.
2. Lunch on the Go: Ideal for packing in a container and taking with you to work, school, or outings when you’re craving a healthy meal.
3. Filling: Packed with protein, fiber, and complex carbs to keep you full and satisfied.
4. Easy and Quick to Make: Short on time? This simple chicken pesto pasta salad is just what you need.
5. Meal Prep Friendly: Perfect for preparing ahead of time.

Ingredients You Need For This Pesto Pasta Salad

• Pasta: I used fusilli but you can use other pasta such as penne or farfalle (bowtie).
• Chicken breast: A medium one is perfect for two servings of this dish.
• Cherry tomatoes: Plum tomatoes are also a great option, adding a delightful sweetness to the salad.
• Spinach
• Basil pesto
• Plain Greek yogurt (full fat): This adds extra creaminess and protein to the pesto pasta salad.
• Fresh coriander (finely chopped)
• Salt: I prefer Himalayan salt, but Celtic sea salt is another healthy alternative you can try.
• Black pepper: Granules or powdered, both work well to add a hint of pepperiness to both the chicken and pesto sauce.
• Garlic granules: Optional, but I enjoy adding them for extra flavour to the chicken breast.
• Feta cheese

How To Make This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and allow it to cool down before adding it to the salad.
• While the pasta is cooling, prepare the other ingredients. Begin by washing the chicken breast and cutting it in half (across – see picture below for reference). Season both sides with salt, garlic granules, and black pepper. Heat a pan with butter and cook the chicken on both sides until it’s fully cooked and golden.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before shredding it.
• Wash the spinach and tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in half or into quarters, depending on your preference for size.
• In a small bowl, combine the pesto, Greek yogurt, finely chopped coriander, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and crumbled feta cheese. Add the pesto mixture and toss until everything is well combined.
• That’s it! Your creamy chicken pesto pasta salad is ready to be enjoyed. Bon appétit!

Other Recipes You’ll Also Enjoy:

• BLT Chicken Pasta Salad
• Homemade Chicken Pasta
• Spicy Spaghetti Bolognese

Variety Of Ingredients You Can Add

• Sun-dried tomatoes as a flavourful alternative to fresh ones
• Kale, either on its own or mixed with spinach for added greens
• Additional salad components such as cucumber, olives, and red onions
• Substitute feta cheese with creamy mozzarella balls or shaved Parmesan
• Incorporate nuts and seeds like pine nuts, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for extra crunch
• Add cubed avocados for a creamy texture and healthy fats

This post was all about a delicious chicken pesto pasta salad recipe.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment down below! I would love to hear what you guys think. Also don’t forget to tag me on your stories @lotsoflovemariam.

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