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Large glass meal prep container filled with chicken pesto pasta salad topped with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, and basil.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad (Meal Prep Friendly)

This Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful meal prep lunch made with tender chicken, pasta, and a bold basil pesto coating. It’s creamy, satisfying, and best served chilled, making it perfect for quick weekday lunches or easy make-ahead meals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz short pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken
  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or arugula
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
  3. Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and toss with pesto until evenly coated.
  4. Add cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, spinach (or arugula), mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  5. Toss everything together until well mixed and fully coated.
  6. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Notes

  • Cook pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t get mushy after chilling.
  • If the salad looks dry after storing, stir in a little extra pesto or a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Swap spinach for arugula for a peppery flavor boost.
  • Add cucumbers, roasted red peppers, olives, or red onion for extra crunch and variety.
  • For best texture, add avocado only right before serving.