Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken

This Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken is a flavorful and convenient meal that is perfect on the go — no heating required. The flavors develop even more throughout the week, making it ideal for shift meal prep.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 2 bell peppers, diced
  • 1 (10 oz) container cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cucumbers, diced
  • 1 (12 oz) bag frozen broccoli
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 2 (6.5 oz) jars pesto
  • 2 (14.5 oz) boxes Barilla Protein Penne Pasta
  • ½ tsp salt, pepper to taste, red wine vinegar to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Bake 20–25 minutes until cooked through.
  2. Boil a large pot of water; cook pasta per box directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. Dice all vegetables into bite-size pieces in a large bowl. Add cooled pasta.
  4. Cool chicken, dice into bite-size pieces, and add to bowl. Add pesto and red wine vinegar to taste. Toss and serve. Optional: top with parmesan and crushed red pepper.

Nutrition Facts Per serving

Per 3 cups: 929 calories, 82g protein, 94g carbohydrates, 24g fat, 14g fiber

Serving Suggestions

Flavors improve over time — make it the night before your shift for the best results. Optional toppings: parmesan and crushed red pepper.

About the Author

Megan Lautz, MS, RD, CSCS, TSAC-F is a Registered Dietitian and coach who specializes in firefighter nutrition. Megan's mission is to help firefighters perform better, recover faster, and enjoy long healthy retirements. Megan is the owner of RescueRD LLC, which provides nutrition seminars and coaching for tactical athletes across the country. Check out @Rescue.RD on Facebook and Instagram.