Description
This Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender grilled chicken, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fragrant basil leaves, all tossed in a rich homemade or store-bought pesto sauce with perfectly cooked al dente pasta. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for gatherings, it can be served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 16 ounces pasta (cooked)
- 1 cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Vegetables and Cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach (packed)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 8 ounces mozzarella balls (halved)
- ¼ cup basil leaves (torn)
Protein
- 1 pound grilled chicken (diced)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook your pasta according to package directions in heavily salted boiling water, but reduce the cook time by about one minute to achieve perfect al dente texture.
- Mix Pasta with Pesto: Drain the pasta without rinsing, then immediately transfer it to the bowl of pesto sauce. Gently toss until all noodles are fully coated with the sauce, allowing the residual heat to help the sauce cling.
- Add Spinach: Mix in the fresh spinach and stir a few times until it wilts slightly from the warmth of the pasta.
- Combine Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves. Gently stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Enjoy the pasta salad immediately while warm or refrigerate and serve chilled based on your preference.
Notes
- Do not rinse pasta after cooking, as retaining starch helps the pesto cling better.
- You can use homemade or store-bought pesto based on convenience and taste preference.
- Grilled chicken can be prepared in advance or substituted with rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
- The salad can be served warm or cold, making it versatile for different occasions and seasons.
- To add extra crunch, consider topping with toasted pine nuts or walnuts before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: chicken pesto pasta salad, grilled chicken pasta salad, easy pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, pesto pasta recipe
