Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
Pesto chicken: savor this creamy pasta salad with grilled chicken, avocado, and crispy bacon. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite size chunks
- 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup tahini or avocado oil mayo
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- 1 pound short cut pasta
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, 1/2 cup pesto, red pepper flakes, and a large pinch of salt. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, turning halfway through cooking, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a large salad bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, tahini or mayo, dijon, Worcestershire, parmesan, and a pinch each of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain. Add the hot pasta and 2 tablespoons pesto and toss vigorously to combine. Add the chicken, tossing to combine.
- Season with freshly cracked pepper and salt. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
- For perfectly cooked chicken, ensure an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- If the dressing seems too thick, thin it out with a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water.
- Store leftover pesto chicken pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's excellent served cold the next day. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- If the dressing seems too thick, thin it out with a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water.
- Store leftover pesto chicken pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's excellent served cold the next day. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.