Best 3 Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes

Indulge in the symphony of flavors with our tantalizing Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad. This delectable dish is a harmonious blend of succulent chicken, vibrant pesto, and tender pasta, artfully combined to create a culinary masterpiece. Each bite offers a delightful interplay of textures and flavors, leaving your taste buds in awe.

In this comprehensive guide, we present a collection of carefully curated Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad recipes, each offering unique variations to suit your preferences. Whether you seek a classic rendition with a smooth and creamy pesto or a zesty twist with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, we have a recipe that will satisfy your cravings.

Our recipes cater to various dietary needs and preferences. We offer a gluten-free option for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can savor this delightful dish. Additionally, we provide a vegetarian alternative, where succulent grilled vegetables replace chicken, creating a vibrant and flavorful salad.

For those who prefer a creamy and indulgent experience, our Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad recipe will tantalize your taste buds. With the addition of creamy mayonnaise and sour cream, this salad offers a rich and velvety texture that perfectly complements the tangy pesto and tender pasta.

If you're seeking a lighter and refreshing option, our Light and Lemony Pesto Pasta Salad is the perfect choice. Bursting with bright lemon flavors, this salad is a delightful blend of fresh herbs, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of Dijon mustard. It's a symphony of zesty and refreshing flavors that will invigorate your palate.

No matter your preference, our collection of Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad recipes guarantees a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN CHICKEN-PESTO PASTA SALAD

Italian Chicken-Pesto Pasta Salad image

I use my recipe#144195 for this salad you may use your own favorite, this is best if served right after it is made or you can refrigerate until ready to serve, feel free to throw in some pine nuts :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories Penne

Time 20m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs penne (or large pasta of choice) or 1 1/2 lbs spiral pasta (or large pasta of choice)
2 -3 tablespoons oil
2 plum tomatoes, chopped (Roma tomatoes)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken (can use more)
salt (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
1/3-1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup prepared pesto sauce (use homemade or purchased, for a stronger flavor increase to 1-1/4 cups)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (do not use salad dressing)

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 597.3, Fat 23.7, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 41.4, Sodium 432.9, Carbohydrate 80.7, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 3.7, Protein 18.7

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA SALAD

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad image

Super easy pasta salad- wonderful for any thing from a brunch to a summer dinner. Everyone likes it- even my picky 3 year old! My husbands co-worker brought this to share for an event and he begged for the recipe. The only particular is that the pasta salad will taste best if you use the pesto in a plastic container in the refrigerated section. The serving size stated is the pasta salad as main dish- in a pot luck or as a side it serves a lot more.

Provided by MistressRach

Categories Chicken

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2/3 cup basil pesto
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
salt
fresh ground pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 lb orzo pasta
1 lb shredded cooked chicken
1/2 lb cherry tomatoes (cut in half) or 1/2 lb grape tomatoes (cut in half)

Steps:

In a large bowl whisk together pesto, vinegar and 1/4 T salt and pinch of pepper. Gradually whisk in oil until smooth.
Cook the orzo add 2T salt in cooking.
Drain and rinse under cold water and drain again.
Add orzo to vinigarete and toss.
Add chicken, and tomatoes and toss.
Tastes best chilled- though it's fine warm.

PESTO CHICKEN SALAD (PASTA SALAD STYLE WITH NO PASTA)

Pesto Chicken Salad (Pasta Salad Style With No Pasta) image

This is a super healthy salad, chicken, veggies and a yummy pesto dressing. It reminds me of pasta salad because of the dressing but I make it without pasta. You could definitely add it, I'd just increase the dressing slightly if you do. It came from a combination of different recipes. I love substituting greek yogurt for things like mayo, which was part of my idea here. All frozen veggies could be replaced with canned... sometimes I use asparagus instead of grean beans. Also, if you prefer less of a tangy dressing you can add a little splenda/stevia/sweetener of your preference and/or decrease the lemon.

Provided by Errrrin

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 15m

Yield 1 large salad, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 lb cooked boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1 1/2 tablespoons basil pesto
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 cup frozen green beans, thawed
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 1/2 cups artichoke hearts, drained and quartered (approx 1 16oz can)
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper (optional)

Steps:

Cut pre-cooked chicken into 1" cubes and set aside.
Prepare vegetables: Thinly slice green onion. Drain and quarter artichoke hearts. Chop cherry tomatos in half. Thaw peas and green beans, I recommend cutting the green beans into approx 1" lengths. Drain all the veggies as well as possible. Squeeze the extra moisture out with a paper towel if you like.
In a large bowl, mix together greek yogurt, pesto, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Mix in all of the vetgetables and chicken. Toss to coat.
You can eat immediately but I think it tastes better after sitting in the fridge overnight. It's good on its own or served over lettuce or broccoli shreds.

Tips:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. Try to use organic produce whenever possible.
Make your own pesto: It only takes a few minutes to make and it's so much tastier than store-bought pesto.
Cook your chicken properly: Cook the chicken until it is cooked through but not overcooked. Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough.
Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld together and make the salad more refreshing.
Serve the salad with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese: This will add a delicious finishing touch.

Conclusion:

Chicken pesto pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The combination of chicken, pesto, pasta, and vegetables is a winning combination that is sure to please everyone.

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