Description

This light and refreshing pasta salad combines lean chicken, whole-grain penne, fresh vegetables, and a bright pesto dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, it’s easy to make ahead and ideal as a chilled meal.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups whole-grain penne pasta (uncooked)

2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded

1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

2 cups fresh leafy greens (spinach or arugula)

1/2 cup pesto sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

salt and black pepper to taste

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives (optional)

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.

2. Shred or cube the cooked chicken and set aside.

3. Halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the greens if needed, and slice olives.

4. Whisk together pesto sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl.

5. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, greens, and optional ingredients.

6. Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

7. Season with salt and pepper and adjust lemon juice or cheese as desired.

8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: salad
Method: tossing
Cuisine: american

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 400
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 2
Unsaturated Fat: 10
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 5
Protein: 28
Cholesterol: 70

Keywords: healthy chicken penne pasta salad, healthy chicken pasta salad recipes, cold chicken dishes, picnic chicken recipes, chicken salad recipe with pasta, pasta salad, summer salad