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–+ servings
Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Italian Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto

This Italian caprese-style chicken pasta salad recipe uses traditional caprese ingredients of fresh mozzarella, vibrant cherry tomatoes and basil pesto and adds in chicken for protein, asparagus for added nutrients, and pine nuts for texture and crunch.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 people
Calories 402 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces Campanelle pasta cooked al dente
  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken shredded
  • 12 ounces cherry tomato medley
  • 1/2 bunch asparagus blanched to crisp tender
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
  • 2.25 ounces pine nuts toasted
  • 8 ounces basil pesto store bought or homemade
  • 1 lemon squeezed for fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • parmesan cheese optional

Instructions
 

Prep:

  • Boil and drain pasta
  • Blanch the asparagus
  • Toast the pine nuts
  • Wash the tomatoes and cut in half
  • Shred or slice the chicken

Directions:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, al dente.
  • Blanch the asparagus according to directions.
  • Toast the pine nuts according to directions.
  • Wash the tomatoes and cut in half.
  • If using tender chicken from a rotisserie style chicken, shred it into a small bowl. If grilling the chicken, season the chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder and cook chicken on the grill over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked through. Slice the chicken into 1-inch slices.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, blanched asparagus, fresh mozzarella pearls, toasted pine nuts and the fresh basil pesto.
  • Next, whisk together the 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil with the fresh lemon juice from 1 squeezed lemon. Whisk until emulsified and combined. Add to the pasta dish.
  • Add the 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and parmesan cheese if using. Stir to combine.
Nutrition Facts
Italian Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto
Amount per Serving
Calories
402
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
20
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
55
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
542
mg
24
%
Potassium
 
243
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
796
IU
16
%
Vitamin C
 
12
mg
15
%
Calcium
 
150
mg
15
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.