Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Report
Chicken pesto pasta salad combines basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and cheese to form a delightful pesto that is tossed with seared chicken and penne pasta.
Share:
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 pounds chicken breasts thin sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoon olive oil for pan frying
For the pesto
- 8 ounces fresh basil leaves about 5 cups
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup pignoli nuts
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Sardo substitute Pecorino Romano
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted (2 tablespoons kosher salt per gallon) water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse until cold.
- Combine basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor or blender. Pulse until a paste forms, stopping often to push down the basil. Add the cheese and pulse once more. Taste test and adjust salt levels. Set pesto aside in a bowl.
- Meanwhile, heat a large pan to medium heat. Pat the chicken dry then season with salt and pepper on both sides. Sear the chicken in olive oil until cooked through (about 3 minutes per side).
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cut into strips.
- Combine the pasta, sliced chicken, and half of the pesto. Mix well and if needed add a bit more of the pesto at a time to get the consistency just right. Any remaining pesto can be saved for another use. Taste test and make final adjustments to salt and pepper if required.
- The chicken pesto pasta salad can be eaten right away or chilled for a few hours before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Any remaining pesto can be saved in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
- Chilling for a few hours before serving really amps up the flavor.
- Any remaining pesto can be saved in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
- Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
617kcal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
42.8g
(14%)
Protein
42.1g
(84%)
Fat
31.5g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
5.6g
(28%)
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
433mg
(18%)
Potassium
296mg
(8%)
Fiber
2.4g
(10%)
Sugar
2.1g
(4%)
Calcium
132mg
(13%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 617 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 617kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 42.8g | 14% |
| Protein | 42.1g | 84% |
| Fat | 31.5g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 5.6g | 28% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 433mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 296mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2.4g | 10% |
| Sugar | 2.1g | 4% |
| Calcium | 132mg | 13% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
