Italian Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, place in a large bowl, and set aside.
• To a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice (zest the lemon before juicing it), apple cider vinegar, honey, Italian seasoning, lemon lest, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine; set sauce aside.
• To a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently so all sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts and sizes of pieces. Chicken should be about 90% cooked through.
• Add the sauce and allow it to bubble at a medium-fast boil for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce has reduced some and chicken is cooked through. Stir sauce and flip chicken intermittently throughout. Add chicken and any cooking liquid to the pasta bowl.
• Add the tomatoes, basil, cucumber, cheese, and toss gently to combine. Taste and check for seasoning balance, making any necessary adjustments (more Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, pinch of cayenne, splash of lemon juice, etc.) before serving.

ITALIAN PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil pasta according to package directions.
• Drain and rinse with cold water. Allow to completely cool to room temperature.
• In a mason jar add Italian salad dressing and pesto - screw on mason jar lid and vigorously shake to combine dressing and pesto.
• In a large salad bowl add pasta, dressing, onion, cucumber, tomato, and cheese. Toss to combine. Cover and chill for an hour and serve.
• This is a great side dish to make the day before.

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat.
• Place the chicken in the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
• Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan with the chicken. Add the pesto and toss to coat evenly.
• Add the cherry tomatoes and gently fold them into the pasta.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and parsley. then serve.

PESTO CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil pasta for 8-9 minutes until tender, rinse with cold water, drain, and place in a large bowl.
• Add spinach and arugula, shredded chicken, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese pasta bowl.
• Whisk together Italian salad dressing and pesto sauce until smooth, then pour over pasta. Toss to combine. Top with cracked black pepper and grated parmesan cheese as desired.
• Serve immediately or cover and chill up to 8 hours and toss just before serving.

ITALIAN PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, rinse in cold water, and return to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
• Combine basil, parsley, and garlic in a food processor; pulse until combined. Add toasted pine nuts and lemon juice and pulse until well combined. Add Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup olive oil while processor is running; blend well. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
• Place pasta into a large mixing bowl and stir in pesto. Add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to thin slightly and continue to mix until pasta is thoroughly coated; add more pasta water as needed. Mix tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, celery, and onion into the salad until well combined.
• Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to blend together, or eat right away.

PESTO CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling, water, cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta, rinse with cold water and set aside.
• In a small glass dish, mix together Italian salad dressing and pesto.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped spinach, chopped basil, Parmesan cheese, sliced grape tomatoes and shredded chicken. Add in sun-dried tomatoes (optional).
• Whisk the dressing quickly again, then pour over top of salad and toss well to mix the dressing into all of the ingredients.
• Taste the salad and add salt and pepper to taste.
• If eating salad immediately, drizzle with balsamic glaze reduction. If you are eating the salad later, I suggest adding the balsamic glaze at that time.
• Cover and chill in refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water, until al dente, according to instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water. Shake out any excess water. 2. Place pasta in a large bowl and stir in the pesto and Italian dressing. Add the cooked chicken and add to the bowl along with the baby spinach. Fold in the tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add olive oil or more Italian dressing if the mixture seems dry. 3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving give it a stir. 4. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.

PESTO CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta to package instructions. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse with cold water. Drain the pasta, transfer to a large bowl and set aside. Allow the pasta to cool completely.
• In a medium sized bowl toss together all the ingredients until evenly combined (pasta, chicken, basil, pesto, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, & pepper).
• Add optional toppings (pine nuts, extra parmesan, red pepper flakes). Chill before serving.

ITALIAN CHICKEN-PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente (do not overcook the pasta; drain in a colander then rinse well under cold water.
• Drain the pasta well in the colander.
• Place the pasta in a large bowl then toss with 2-3 tablespoons oil.
• Add in chopped tomatoes and cooked cubed chicken; toss to coat.
• For the dressing; in a processor puree the prepared pesto with the spinach and lemon juice.
• Add in the mayonnaise and pulse until blended.
• Add the mayo mixture to the pasta mixture; toss to combine.
• Mix in the Parmesan cheese then season with salt and pepper.