Susan's Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta Salad
By
Susan Din
@spatdi
10
My family loves this yummy salad. It's similar to La Madeleine's Tomato Basil Pesto Pasta Salad, with the added protein of chicken. Served with a green salad, it's a complete meal.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Most pasta salads are a side dish but this salad is hearty enough for a meal thanks to the chopped chicken. It's filled with Mediterannean flavors like olives, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. There's no mayonnaise in this pasta salad recipe. It's dressed with fresh pesto a zesty Caesar dressing. Serve with an extra sprinkle of fresh chopped basil and grated Romano cheese. A great salad for summer cookouts.
Rating:
★★★★★ 3 votes5
Comments:
Serves:
6-8
Prep:
30 Min
Cook:
30 Min
Method:
Stove Top
Ingredients
-
12-16 ozcooked chicken cut into chunks
-
12-16 ozrotini or bowtie pasta
-
2 TbspKosher salt (for pasta cooking water)
-
1-2 cBrianna's Asiago Caesar dressing
-
4 ozsun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
-
1 can(s)artichoke hearts, chopped roughly
-
1/2 cbasil pesto (store-bought or homemade; recipe below
-
1 can(s)large black olives, sliced, drained
-
1/2 cRomano cheese, grated
-
3 Tbspred onion, finely minced
-
8-10 largebasil leaves, fresh-sliced chiffonade
-
3 mediumRoma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
-
HOMEMADE BASIL PESTO
-
2 cpacked basil leaves, fresh
-
1/4-1/2 colive oil
-
1/3 cpine nuts
-
1/2 cParmesan cheese, grated
-
1 clovegarlic, chopped
-
1/4 tspKosher salt
How to Make Susan's Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta Salad
- COOK PASTA: Add 2 Tbsp salt to the boiling water.
- Cook pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Strain in a colander, and rinse briefly with cold water to cool the pasta. Allow to drain thoroughly.
- PREPARE BASIL PESTO: Place basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and salt into a food processor. With the processor running, add the oil and process until smooth.
- CHIFFONADE THE BASIL LEAVES: Stack the leaves, then roll up tightly. With a SHARP knife-cut across in 1/8" slices to form "ribbons."
- Seed and chop tomatoes and red onion. Cut chicken into small chunks.
- Place pasta into a LARGE bowl and add all remaining ingredients (START WITH 1c DRESSING).
- Mix gently to combine. Add more dressing as desired.
- Refrigerate until chilled. After it sits overnight I add a little more dressing before serving to perk up the flavors.
About Susan's Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta Salad
Main Ingredient: Pasta
Regional Style: American
Collection: Chicken Salad
Other Tags: Quick & Easy For Kids
