





From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
1/6
Chicken and Pesto Pasta Salad
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Instructions
1
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Cook your pasta in salted water according to package directions to al dente. When the pasta is finished, drain it and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta.
2
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While the pasta is cooking you can toast your pine nuts. To toast them, place them in a small dry skillet in an even layer. Heat them over medium low heat, stirring occasionally for about 3-5 minutes or until they are a nice golden brown. Be careful they burn easily. Set the toasted pine nuts aside to cool
3
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Place the cooked and drained pasta in a large bowl add in the chicken, then add in the cut tomatoes, chopped cucumber and diced onions. Stir gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4
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Roughly chop or tear the spinach and arugula, add it in and stir to distribute.
5
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Next add in the pesto and the sun dried tomatoes. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the pesto.
6
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Now add in the shredded parmesan cheese, mozzarella pearls, and toasted pine nuts. Stir to evenly distribute.
7
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
8
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Garnish with additional shredded parmesan and toasted pine nuts if desired.
My Calorie Intake
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Toast Pine Nuts Separately 🌰Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes just before serving to amplify their buttery flavor and prevent them from becoming soggy in the dressing.
- Salt Pasta Water Generously 🧂Use salted pasta water (like seawater) for cooking rotini to build flavor into the pasta itself, reducing the need for excess seasoning later.
- Chill Pesto Before Mixing 🌿Keep pesto cold and add it to the cooled pasta last, folding gently to prevent the basil from bruising and losing its vibrant green color and fresh aroma.
- Pound Chicken Evenly 🍗Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness before cooking to ensure even, fast cooking and prevent dry edges while keeping the center juicy.
- Reserve Pasta Water for Consistency 💧Save a cup of starchy pasta water to adjust the salad's moisture just before serving—it helps the pesto coat everything evenly and prevents drying out during storage.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Low Sugar
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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