Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Grilled chicken pesto pasta salad made with plump, juicy grilled chicken breasts with fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan over pasta. It's easy recipe and delicious salad hot or cold!

Overhead image of chicken pesto pasta salad in a white bowl with basil and a fork

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you are looking for a perfect chicken pesto pasta salad recipe, you've found it! This simple and versatile meal is not only easy, but it's also PERFECT for meal prepping because you can have it warm or cold and it's equally delicious.

It's constantly on our meal plan rotation at our house and I love making a big batch of it to eat throughout the week. I can't wait to show you how to make it so it can become a family favorite at your house, too!

Want to change it up? Try it out with different types of pesto! This nut-free pesto is a budget-friendly option! Or you can change up the nuts and make a batch of cashew pesto or almond pesto. Then for a totally different flavor, try this easy chicken salad with Thai basil pesto.

What is Pesto?

Pesto is a simple paste or sauce made from crushed basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and oil. These ingredients can be changed up to fit into different diets or use less expensive options without great impact to the great flavor.

The word pesto actually means to pound or grind and traditionally, pesto is made with a pestle and mortar. Pesto has a pretty bold flavor with a very fresh, herbaceous basil flavor up front and a lingering fresh garlic finish.

If you have a few extra minutes, nothing compares to the taste of basil being crushed with garlic into the oil. YUM! But most days, I'm busy and usually just toss everything into a food processor so I can make it extra quick!

One of my favorite things about pesto sauce is that is very flavorful, but clean and fresh tasting. It's a very versatile sauce and is great on pasta, chicken, veggies....or in the case of this dish, all of them put together!

Ingredients

To make this pesto pasta with grilled chicken, you are going to need:

Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the quickest and healthiest option.
Pasta: Any pasta works great but I prefer short pasta such as bowties, spirals, or penne pasta. They're easier to eat in a salad and they have the perfect shape to allow the pesto to grab onto the folds. Long thin noodles work too so choose whatever noodle shape you prefer!
Pesto: Make homemade with fresh basil or you can buy one at the store.
Parmesan Cheese: Use a quality block of parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese is loaded with fillers and just won't melt and cling to the pasta the way fresh does.
Cherry Tomatoes: Plump and juicy tomatoes are the perfect fit for chicken pesto pasta salad.
Fresh Basil: For more basil flavor and a lovely garnish.

How To Make Pesto

Before we get started with the pasta salad recipe, let's start by talking about how easy it is to make fresh pesto! I highly recommend our delicious and super easy 5-minute pesto for this recipe!

Simply combine all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse and grind until smooth.

If you don't want to make your own, that's OK! You can buy any store-bought brand, my favorite nut-free pesto is this Classico brand!

How to Make Chicken Pesto Salad with Pasta

Let's look at an overview of making this pesto pasta salad recipe. For detailed instructions, check the recipe card further down the page.

Step 1: Grilling the Chicken

Let's start with grilling the chicken. I highly prefer a classic charcoal grill to cook my chicken but if you don't have one, you can absolutely use a grill pan.

Prepare the grill for direct medium heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, this means you will want to wait until your coals are all covered in grey ash and wait about 20-30 minutes for spreading them out for medium heat.

Once hot, grill the chicken for about five minutes per side or until the internal temperature reads 165.

Chicken breasts cooking on a charcoal grill

TOP TIP: Want to get PERFECT char marks on your chicken? Don't lift the meat to peek! To get the perfect char, allow the chicken to sit in the same spot until it's time to turn. My husband is actually the grill master of the house - so I can't take credit for these gorgeous lines.

When the chicken is done, be sure to let it rest for several minutes before slicing it. This is an extremely important step. This will make sure the juices stay inside the chicken and prevent the chicken from drying out. I know it's hard, but let it rest!

Grilled chicken breasts cut into slices with basil and tomatoes around it.

You can prepare the rest of the pasta salad while your chicken is grilling.

Start by filling a large pot with boiling, salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions. Be sure to cook the pasta just until al dente. No one likes soggy pasta!

TOP TIP: Salting the water is the first opportunity you have to flavor the dish. Boiling pasta in salted water is a simple step that can make a very big difference.

Meanwhile, begin slicing the cherry tomatoes, and prepare the pesto sauce if you are making it fresh. When you have everything together in a large bowl, just toss until everything is evenly incorporated and you are done!

A 45 degree image of a pesto pasta salad in a white bowl on a wooden styling board.

How to Serve with Chicken Pesto Pasta

This dish is pretty much a meal in one bowl so you don't need to add on much!

Serve up a slice of homemade cornbread or pumpkin bread.
This dish can be served hot or as a cold pesto chicken pasta salad. Since it tastes great cold too, it makes an easy lunch to carry to work or school.
For lunch or dinner, pair it with a glass of dragon fruit lemonade or a peach banana smoothie.
Add on a quick dessert such as fruit popsicle, chocolate covered pineapple, or strawberry hand pies.

Recommended Wine Pairing

When it comes to perfect pairings with pesto, Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice! Sauvignon Blanc has a vibrant acidity that really cuts through pesto's bold garlic finish. If you prefer something lighter, you can't go wrong with a Pinot Grigio or a cooler climate, un-oaked Chardonnay.

Good- Bodegas Muga Blanco 2018 - Rioja, Spain- $16.99
Better- Heritance 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - Napa Valley, CA $18
Best- Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc- Marlborough, New Zealand - $22.99
Local Choice- Lemon Creek Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, $19, Baroda, Michigan

Expert Tips

Use REAL ingredients that are high quality. If you're thinking about reaching for powdered Parmesan that has an infinite shelf life...think again. Choosing a block of Parmesan and taking an extra few minutes to grate it will REALLY take this pasta salad to the next level!
For perfect grill marks on your chicken. Cook it on each side without peaking or moving the chicken around.
Make fresh homemade pesto for the best flavor rather than relying on storebought.
Cook the pasta just until al dente. This leaves the pasta with a little bite so you don't end up with mushy pasta.

FAQs

How much pesto do I need for one pound of pasta?

It all comes down to personal preference. This recipe calls for ½ cup of fresh basil pesto, and most people prefer from ½ cup- 1 cup of sauce for a pound. Pesto has a very intense flavor, so I find that a little goes a long way!

Is pesto sauce healthy?

Yes, it can be when used sparingly. Pesto is made with some high-calorie ingredients but most of them such as nuts and olive oil come with health benefits. It is a better option than other dressings made with mayonnaise and other unhealthy ingredients.

More Salad and Pasta Recipes

Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!