Best 6 Chicken Basil And Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

CHICKEN, BASIL AND TOMATO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, adding green beans the last 5 minutes of cooking; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.
• Mix together the oil, vinegar, salt, garlic, mustard and pepper with a whisk until thoroughly combined.
• In a very large bowl toss together the pasta mixture, chicken cubes (if using), dressing, tomatoes, shredded cheese and olives. Cover and chill for 4-24 hours. Add basil and toss gently before serving. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

TOMATO BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, oil, basil and mozzarella cheese. Cover; refrigerate 2 hours to blend flavors.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
• In large serving bowl, mix cooked pasta and tomato mixture until well combined. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of salad.

SUSAN'S TOMATO BASIL CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• COOK PASTA: Add 2 Tbsp salt to the boiling water.
• Cook pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Strain in a colander, and rinse briefly with cold water to cool the pasta. Allow to drain thoroughly.
• PREPARE BASIL PESTO: Place basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and salt into a food processor. With the processor running, add the oil and process until smooth.
• CHIFFONADE THE BASIL LEAVES: Stack the leaves, then roll up tightly. With a SHARP knife-cut across in 1/8" slices to form "ribbons."
• Seed and chop tomatoes and red onion. Cut chicken into small chunks.
• Place pasta into a LARGE bowl and add all remaining ingredients (START WITH 1c DRESSING).
• Mix gently to combine. Add more dressing as desired.
• Refrigerate until chilled. After it sits overnight I add a little more dressing before serving to perk up the flavors.

LEMON-BASIL CHICKEN-PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart Dutch oven about half full of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt if desired. Cover with lid; heat over high heat until water is boiling rapidly. Add the pasta. Heat to boiling again. Boil uncovered 9 to 11 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender but not mushy. While water is heating and pasta is cooking, continue with recipe.
• Break off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus stalks where they snap easily; wash asparagus. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces to measure 2 cups. Add asparagus to the pasta during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
• Peel and finely chop the garlic. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes to measure about 2 cups. Tear the basil leaves lengthwise into narrow strips.
• Place strainer or colander in the sink. Pour pasta and asparagus in the strainer to drain. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• In a large glass or plastic bowl, toss pasta, asparagus and chicken. Stir in garlic, basil, cheese, oil and lemon peel. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

CREAMY TOMATO-BASIL PASTA WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cover. Cook 5 to 6 min. on each side or until done (165 degrees F). Remove chicken from skillet; cover to keep warm. Carefully wipe out skillet with paper towel.
• Add remaining dressing, broth and seasonings to skillet; cook 3 to 4 min. or until heated through. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until Neufchatel is melted. Stir in tomatoes; cook 3 min.
• Drain pasta. Add to ingredients in skillet with Parmesan and basil; mix well. Serve topped with chicken.

PASTA SALAD WITH SUMMER TOMATOES, BASIL AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, capers, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, red-pepper flakes, the whole basil sprig and anchovies if using. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in 1/2 cup oil. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. The tomatoes should be aggressively seasoned. Let tomatoes marinate for at least 1 hour and preferably 2 to 3.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just al dente, usually a minute less than the package instructions. Drain well. Add to bowl with tomatoes while still warm and toss well. Let pasta cool, soaking up the dressing. Let pasta sit at room temperature for at least another hour and up to 6 hours before serving. Or chill for up to 24 hours; bring to room temperature before serving.
• Just before serving, gently fold in torn basil leaves. Top with more olive oil and cracked black pepper before serving.