Description
This Healthy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish featuring whole wheat rotini pasta tossed with juicy grilled chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, mozzarella pearls, and Parmesan cheese, all coated in a vibrant basil pesto dressing. Ideal for meal prep, picnics, or a light yet protein-packed lunch, this salad combines wholesome ingredients with bold Italian-American flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta and Protein
- 12 oz whole wheat rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked grilled chicken, diced
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing and Seasonings
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the whole wheat rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the diced grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped spinach, fresh mozzarella pearls, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the basil pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice until well combined.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the pesto dressing over the pasta mixture and toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure even coating of the dressing on all ingredients.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference and gently toss again to distribute the seasoning.
- Garnish and Chill: Garnish the salad with fresh basil leaves if desired, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can use either homemade basil pesto or store-bought for convenience.
- Add extra veggies like cucumber slices or roasted red peppers to increase the vegetable content.
- Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for meal prepping purposes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
