Hannah’S Kitchen Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad

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Servings: 6 Difficulty: Intermediate
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A vibrant and zesty pasta salad combining tender chicken, fresh basil pesto, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes.
Hannah's Kitchen Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad recipe image

This vibrant pasta salad is a delightful twist on classic Italian flavors, perfect for warm evenings or busy weeknights. Tender, boneless chicken breasts are tossed with al dente radiatore pasta, creating a hearty base that soaks up the rich, aromatic pesto sauce. The dish is elevated by the sweet, tangy burst of dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes and the nutty crunch of pine nuts. Fresh basil leaves provide a bright, herbal freshness that balances the savory parmesan and garlic notes. It’s a satisfying meal that tastes fresh and light yet remains filling enough for the whole family. Serve it chilled for a refreshing lunch or at room temperature as a substantial side dish. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your home table.

Hannah's Kitchen Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad recipe image
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Hannah’S Kitchen Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6 Calories: 38.5

Description

This vibrant pasta salad is a delightful twist on classic Italian flavors, perfect for warm evenings or busy weeknights. Tender, boneless chicken breasts are tossed with al dente radiatore pasta, creating a hearty base that soaks up the rich, aromatic pesto sauce. The dish is elevated by the sweet, tangy burst of dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes and the nutty crunch of pine nuts. Fresh basil leaves provide a bright, herbal freshness that balances the savory parmesan and garlic notes. It&# 226;ÂÂs a satisfying meal that tastes fresh and light yet remains filling enough for the whole family. Serve it chilled for a refreshing lunch or at room temperature as a substantial side dish. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your home table.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the radiatore pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. While the pasta cooks, place the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, pine nuts, grated parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to create the pesto.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta with the freshly made pesto until evenly coated.
  5. Add the sliced chicken, dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, and any remaining pesto to the bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or parmesan if desired. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 38.5kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.4g1%
Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 10.0mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 8.4g3%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g10%
Sugars 5.7g
Protein 1.8g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: pesto, chicken, pasta, salad, italian, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, parmesan, summer, lunch, dinner, meal prep, fresh, herb, garlic, olive oil, radiatore, boneless, easy
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