This Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is an old favorite that’s perfect as a side or as your main meal! It’s a satisfying pasta salad that’s packed with chicken and fresh veggies all in a creamy pesto dressing.
Happy almost the weekend folks! Are you ready for a killer pasta salad for your next summer party?
I’m totally dating myself with today’s recipe guys. Listen up. I have been making this Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad for almost 20 years. Ya, I know….20 years! I kid you not.
I pulled this recipe from Family Circle Magazine in August of 1998, and with a few tweaks here and there it’s been somewhat of a staple at our house every summer. I actually can’t believe I haven’t shared it til now, but since y’all loved my Gram’s Macaroni Salad so much, I thought another pasta salad was definitely in order.
To be totally honest, it’s really not only a summer staple at our house. I make it all year long. But during the summer I grill the chicken as the recipe calls for, and if I whip it up during the winter I usually use shredded rotisserie chicken. Sorry, unless it’s at least 40 degrees I’m not taking my tush outside to grill anything. It’s equally delicious with either, so you choose.
For the few tweaks, I upped the amount of pasta to a pound, because this salad is always a crowd fave and I’m not the kind of gal who likes to run out of anything when entertaining. Plus it also makes for awesome leftovers or late night trips to the fridge… you know, if you’re that kind of gal or guy. I also added some roasted red peppers because they’re my favorite, some chopped fresh basil and a sprinkle of pine nuts for added crunch. I also use the steam in the bag green beans, because during the summer it’s all about easy. I cook them according to the package directions, let them cool and then cut each bean in half. Sounds incredibly easy, am I right?
This salad is an awesome combo of flavors and textures that’s sure to be a hit at your next summer party! Enjoy!
- 16 oz. penne pasta
- 12 oz. steam in bag fresh green beans
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cup roasted red peppers roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves julienned
- Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. prepared pesto
- 2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, then rinse under cool water. Drain again, then transfer to large bowl.
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Microwave beans according to package directions. Let cool, then cut each bean in half. Add to pasta along with chicken, tomatoes and red peppers.
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Make dressing: In small bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
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Add dressing to pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle with pine nuts and fresh basil.
Well, I’m happy you finally shared this little gem, Mary Ann! I don’t like to run out of food either (especially when entertaining) so that means I usually have lots and lots of leftovers in the fridge. When they look this good, it shouldn’t a problem ;) Love the roasted pepper addition and the pine nuts. I can understand why you eat this year round (I would too). Pinned! Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo
Thanks Dawn! You’ll love this one. It’s incredibly easy and the flavors are fabulous. I love the different textures in this one too. Happy weekend! XO
So what you’re saying is that you’ve made this pasta salad since birth, because you are only in your 20s right? ;) I can totally see why this pasta salad is a staple year ’round, because it looks delicious! Love all your tweaks and additions!! This definitely needs to go on the rotation! And I’ll be sure to make extra, because I’m totally that gal who likes pasta leftovers… especially as a midnight snack. ;) Pinned! Cheers, friend! Xo
Lol! Absolutely Chey! And it’s Tom and my 27 year anniversary tomorrow, so I married him when I was just a toddler! Yikes… how time flies! Happy weekend my friend!
Love everything about this pasta salad! Can’t wait to try it this summer, as I could (and do) live on pasta salad :)
Yay! Hope you enjoy it Jennifer. Happy weekend!
Oh my gosh this salad looks so delectable. I love a good pasta salad recipe.
Thanks Alida. Me too! They’re always perfect for parties!
Mary Ann! what a beautiful salad! I make something similar at home, but I sure want to taste yours now! I am just like you, I prefer to have leftovers than to run out of something when I have guests over! Have a nice weekend darling!
Me too Gaila! Hope you have a fabulous weekend too! XO
So many of those “oldie” recipes are just the best! This one looks amazing and so perfect for a light summer meal!
I’ve made this oldie countless times Chris, and it’s always a winner.
You really can’t have too many pasta salad recipes up your sleeve, and this one looks like an instant favorite! We love leftovers in our house, too, and I think we’d look forward to leftovers of this lovely pasta salad anytime!
I totally agree Michele! They’re perfect for parties, lunch, dinner…and late night trips to the fridge. Happy weekend!
I’m having a small heart attack because I just realized 1998 was 20 years ago. Somehow that doesn’t seem possible! But this salad looks like the perfect way to eat my emotions :). I love a pasta salad more than just about anything, and they’re so perfect for this time of year! Have a great weekend Mary Ann!
Oh it’s possible and I’m having a bigger heart attack Kelsie because I’m sure I’ve got you beat by many years!! I’ll drown my old age sorrows in this pasta salad! Hope you enjoy it if you give it a go.
Pasta salad is an absolute must, especially during the summer season! This will definitely be added to the list! Thanks for sharing!
Yay! Enjoy Annie. Happy weekend!
I used to make a lot of pasta salads for 30 years but in the last years I stopped making them. It’s time that I start again with your delicious recipe. I love your dresssing and the addition of grilled peppers.
You’d go for this one Gerlinde! It’s one of my favorites! So many textures and fresh flavors. Happy weekend!
Hee, hee. I can just imagine you outside in your fur boots grilling at 30 degrees. Not me either! Love summer salads like this and could eat them three times a day!
Ha! I make Tom do it! I’m such a sissy! This one is the perfect summer salad Karen. Have a great weekend! Hope the kids are done with school soon!
I’ve never made pasta salad, can you believe that? Of course, I’ve eaten it a bunch of times, but I’m usually avoiding carbs so pasta doesn’t get cooked in my kitchen. Well, I’m no longer avoiding carbs so this is a great recipe to play with. Loving the addition of pine nuts, green beans, and roasted red peppers.
Give it a try Mary! It’s so delicious. Perfect for weekend summer parties. Delicious with grilled shrimp too. Thanks so much for following and leaving a comment! Much appreciated. Happy weekend!
I totally need to try this pasta salad – perfect for summer.
Hope you love it Naomi!
Don’t you just love old recipes that you make over and over, Mary Ann. I love a good pasta salad so yes please! Big fan of all the veggies in there – and adding pesto to the mayo is a great idea!
I really do Geraldine! I’ve got some from way, way back that are always hits at our house. Enjoy your weekend!
Loving this pasta salad and all that it has going on. Sounds so great!
Thanks Tieghan! Happy Fri-yay!
Hooray for chicken pesto pasta salad!!! Looks like I’ll also be making this all summer long! love this!
Yay Alice! Hope you all enjoy!
Hi MaryAnn i haven’t made pasta since long time. After reading this i think i am soon gonna make it again.
I hope you enjoy it too Supriya!
It’s insane to me that 1998 is almost 20 years ago. OMG WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? 98 was a great year though. Junior year of high school for me and many great memories ;) This pasta salad is a summer winner for sure!
I’m not gonna mention how old I was in 1998 Gina! But I know I was having fun, regardless of my age! Hope you enjoy this one!
You’re giving me all these wonderful Summer salad ideas! Thanks Mary Ann. I’m imagining the fresh pop of basil in every bite. :)
This one just screams summer Kevin! All that fresh basil and juicy red grape tomatoes. It’s always popular with all my summer visitors.
Any recipe that you’ve been making for that long has to be fabulous ~ I have a pasta salad with tuna that I’ve been making for that long, but somehow both my daughters developed an intense dislike of tuna, so maybe this will become a new family classic!
Then definitely give this one a go Sue. I bet she’ll love it!
Oh boy, I think I am going to add in one extra mile onto my run schedule this week so I can chow down with this delicious salad. Yes, don’t ever take your tush out into the cold to grill chicken. Big No-No! So funny, i laughed out loud. Can’t relate out here in LA, but I appreciated your sentiment. Lovely salad recipe, thanks.
Lucky you Cindy! I much prefer the warm summer days! Hope you enjoy this one. It’s worth the extra mile!
Haha! I love that you have been making this for so long. That is true testament to how delicious it must be. I feel privileged to read about one of your staple recipes! Sounds like it could definitely become a staple around my place. Have a great weekend! XO
Thanks Katherine! It truly is a favorite. I hope you enjoy your weekend!
I love a great standby recipe! This one sounds delicious. I just am having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that 1998 was 20 years ago. Yes, I can do the math, but it seems like it was just a couple of years ago…not 20! Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
I know Kathy! Time flies, doesn’t it?? This one is definitely a keeper!
What a fab summer salad! I love the roasted red peppers and the addition of fresh basil – this looks perfect for backyard entertaining!
It is Laura! I hope you give it a go!
Classic recipes that have passed the test of time are the best! And this one looks like one for the ages….yay pesto and yay summer! :)
I agree Kate! Hope you have a great week!
Don’t you love those gem recipes that you go to year after year? They’re like old friends. And this one looks like a new friend to me. Just the kind of meal I love for hot summer days.
Absolutely Marissa! Old favorites are always best!