Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken & Tomatoes is the perfect dish for a light lunch, dinner, or potluck gathering. It’s a vibrant, flavorful meal that combines tender chicken, juicy tomatoes, and the creamy richness of pesto, all tossed with pasta for a satisfying, well-rounded dish.
To begin, cook your pasta according to package instructions, then drain and let it cool. For best results, use a short pasta like rotini, penne, or farfalle, as they hold the pesto and other ingredients well. While the pasta is cooling, season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cook them in a skillet over medium heat until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side. Once cooked, let the chicken rest before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
Next, prepare the pesto. You can either use store-bought pesto or make your own by blending fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding a bit more olive oil if needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and a generous amount of pesto. Toss everything together until well-coated. For an added touch of flavor and texture, you can toss in some mozzarella pearls, olives, or roasted red peppers.
Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with fresh basil or Parmesan cheese. This Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken & Tomatoes is a perfect make-ahead dish that gets better as it sits, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
This dish is not only quick and easy to make but also packed with flavor, making it a versatile and satisfying option for a healthy lunch, dinner, or picnic. The creamy pesto pairs wonderfully with the tender chicken and juicy tomatoes, creating a meal that is both fresh and filling.
Ingredients
- 200 grams pasta rotini or fusilli recommended
- 200 grams chicken breast grilled and sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup basil pesto store-bought or homemade
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, and pesto.
- Toss gently to coat all ingredients with pesto. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
It was okay, but I think it needed more seasoning. A bit bland for my taste.
This was delicious! I added some olives for an extra kick. Will make again!
Pasta and chicken? Sounds weird. Not sure if I like.
I didn’t have any chicken, so I used tuna instead. Not sure if that was a good idea.
I don’t believe this is a proper meal. Where’s the beef? 😅
It’s not supposed to be a full-on meat meal! It’s a salad! 😅 But hey, you can add beef if you want!
I tried making this, but the chicken was too dry. Maybe grill it less?
I had the same issue last time! Maybe try brining the chicken first? It really helps it stay moist. 🤔
Yea, the chicken can get dry if overcooked… but maybe it was your grill or something? I never have that problem. 😅
Tasty and easy! My kids loved it, and that’s a win in my book! 😍
Yum! I switched the chicken for tofu and it worked out great. Good vibes!
I tried this recipe and it came out terribly. My pasta was mushy and the sauce was too oily. Not good.
Is it really that easy? I’m skeptical about the pesto not being too dominant.
I thought pasta was unhealthy. Why would you put cheese on it too? 🤔
AMAZING
Right?? “AMAZING” is so accurate—this pesto pasta salad is such a hit. The cherry tomatoes make it feel fresh, and that parmesan on top is perfect.
Looks good but I’m skeptical about the store-bought pesto—sometimes it’s way too salty. Next time I might use less parmesan or rinse the chicken slices? Still, idea’s solid.
I’m skeptical about store-bought pesto here—some brands taste bitter to me. If you use a good pesto, though, it probably works great.
Totally get the bitterness concern—store-bought pesto varies a LOT. If you pick one that’s basil-forward (not overly tangy) it should taste great in this salad.
This pasta salad was a hit at our picnic! So refreshing and tasty. Will definitely make again!
Reckon this is the best pasta salad I’ve seen on here! So colorful and easy too!
It was okay but I think it needs more flavor. Maybe add some garlic or something next time?
Not bad but my kids said it was ‘too green’ lol. Maybe next time I skip the basil pesto.
It was okay, but I found it kinda bland. Maybe it needs more salt? 🤔
Um, are you sure this is healthy? Pasta and cheese? lol, whatever works, I guess.
Actually, pasta and cheese can be part of a balanced meal! Just watch portion sizes.
I wasn’t sure about the cherry tomatos, but they added a nice sweetness.
But aren’t cherry tomatoes just a little too sweet? I prefer the regular ones.
I totally agree! The cherry tomatoes make it pop! 😍
Can I use a different cheese instead of parmesan? Like cheddar? 🧀
Sure, you can use cheddar! It’ll change the flavor a bit, but I think it could be yummy! 😋
Pasta + chicken = love! But I did use spaghetti instead, hope that’s allowed!
My kids gobbled it up, and they usually don’t eat salad. Gonna keep this one in the dinner rotation!
I followed the instructions but it turned out all mushy. Not sure what I did wrong, lol.
So easy! I used rotini and it turned out great. Perfect for a picnic! 🌞
I didn’t have rotini so I used penne. Still came out good. Also, chill time made it way better (don’t skip step 5).
Yum! I added some olives and it was even better! 😋
This is pretty basic if you ask me. Nothing special here. 👎
This was delicious! So easy to make and full of flavor. My family loved it.
It was ok, but I thought the pesto was too strong. Maybe less next time?
I’m glad you liked it! It’s one of my go-to recipes too. Quick and tasty!
This was okay. I added some spices but still tasted bland. Could’ve used some garlic maybe?