Chicken Pasta Salad With Peas & Pesto
Recipe: #10467
September 06, 2013
"A delicious main dish pasta salad. A perfect way to use leftover chicken. This is a recipe my friend and I use for catering - and, it's delicious and easy to make. You can make your own pesto; however, there are some pretty decent store bought brands available these days. And, many grocery stores even make their own pesto. As for the chicken; this is a great way to use up that rotisserie chicken; or, cook up a couple of chicken breasts - grilled, baked, or poached. A great make ahead salad. Time for the salad to set before serving is not included in the cook time."
Original is 5 servings
Ingredients
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- FOR SAUCE
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Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (431.7 g)
- Calories 690.8
- Total Fat - 19.1 g
- Saturated Fat - 4.5 g
- Cholesterol - 251.4 mg
- Sodium - 407.5 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 97.1 g
- Dietary Fiber - 14 g
- Sugars - 8.7 g
- Protein - 36.8 g
- Calcium - 348.2 mg
- Iron - 6.4 mg
- Vitamin C - 47.5 mg
- Thiamin - 0.5 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Pasta ... Cook the pasta according to package directions in plenty of salted water. Drain (reserving approximately 1 cup of the pasta water); and, rinse the pasta under cold water to cool. Drain again, and set to the side.
Step 2
Sauce ... As the pasta cooks, make the sauce. Add the pesto, spinach, mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper; and a little of the pasta water (about 1/4 cup), to a blender or small food processor; then, puree until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
Step 3
Chicken ... I often cook up a couple of whole chickens; then dice, and freeze them in individual bags. This is one of these times when they come in handy. But, any diced or cubed cooked chicken will work for this recipe - poached, grilled, or baked.
Step 4
Salad ... Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl, and toss with the sauce until well combined. Then, add the chicken, peas, pine nuts, and parmesan; and, mix until everything is incorporated. Remember, you still have some of that pasta water ... if it seems a bit thick, add a little more pasta water. Taste for seasoning, and adjust if needed, with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Finish ... Cover, refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. This is a simple dish, and easy to prepare. ENJOY! I would serve this with a mixed tomato salad; and maybe some crusty bread.
Tips
No special items needed.
1 Reviews
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