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5.0 from 3 votes

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

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. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 617 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cut into strips.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

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

% 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.