Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad.

Hi, I was thinking the other day, where would we be, in our busy lives, without Pasta? Since there are so many dishes you can make using Pasta. And so today I have this Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad to share with you.

Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad - delicious, nutritious and so easy to make!
Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad – delicious, nutritious and so easy to make!

 

This dish takes no more than 30 minutes to make from start to finish! It’s packed full of lean chicken and crammed with crunchy veggies. Also, if you left the chicken out you could easily make this as a vegetarian dish.

Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad - crammed full of crunchy veg!
Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad – crammed full of crunchy veg!

 

Everything about this dish makes it perfect for a quick, easy, mid-week meal, or you can make it ahead, keep it in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to three days. Also it has to be one of the easiest meals ever, prepare in advance when you have a bit of time, or cook from scratch and have it on the table in 30 minutes!

Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad - perfect for mid-week mealtimes!
Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad – perfect for mid-week mealtimes!

 

Recipe : Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad serves 4-6 adults

500g/1lb Packet Dried Pasta – I used fusilli

500g/1lb Boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts

1  Jar ready made Pesto Sauce – I use 190g jar Classic Pesto from Filippo Berio 

150g/5oz Sugar Snap Peas

1 Small Red Onion

1 Yellow Bell Pepper

225g/8oz Cherry Tomatoes

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Optional – Fresh Basil Leaves

Method : Making the Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad

First of all, fill a large pan with water and bring to the boil. Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt, the pasta and cook according to package instructions.

In a separate pan place the chicken breasts – if very large cut in half first. Add cold water to just cover the chicken. Bring to a gentle simmer and poach for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. I take the largest piece out, cut through the thickest part with a knife and if the chicken is white – not pink, I know it is cooked.

As soon as the pasta is cooked, drain and tip into a large bowl.

Immediately drizzle over the Olive oil and toss the pasta so that it doesn't clump together.
Immediately drizzle over the Olive oil and toss the pasta so that it doesn’t clump together.
Add the jar of pesto sauce and mix thoroughly, ensuring all the warm pasta is coated.
Add the jar of pesto sauce and mix thoroughly, ensuring all the warm pasta is coated.

 

Remove the poached chicken breasts, once cooked and place on a plate to cool slightly.

Into a pan of boiling water add the sugar snap peas and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under a cold tap to halt the cooking process.

Chop the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the red onion and yellow pepper.

Add all the veggies to the pasta.
Add all the veggies to the pasta.

 

When the chicken is cool enough to handle chop into bite sized pieces.

Add the chicken and then mix well. You now have .......
Add the chicken and then mix well. You now have …….
Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad - delicious, nutritious and so easy to make!
Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad – easy and delicious!

Finally, scatter over fresh Basil leaves and then serve warm as is, or refrigerate for a delicious cool Summer salad on a hot day!

Place any leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerate and eat within 3 days.

Since this salad is very versatile, you can add whatever veggies you have on hand. While I like to use the best seasonal produce available, omit the chicken for a great vegetarian meal.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad you may also like these:

Roasted Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad 

FF Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad
Roasted Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad

Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta 

FF Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad
Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo 

FF Chicken Pasta Pesto Salad
Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo

I love the versatility of pasta and how it can be used is so many quick and easy dishes. Especially as a busy mum, having meals that can be prepared in advance is a huge bonus. While the weather continues to be extremely hot, here in the South East of England, making dinner first thing in the morning and stashing it away in the fridge seems to take the pressure off when it comes to mealtimes.

Finally, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

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