Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken

  Eating on the go shouldn’t mean sacrificing taste. Put this simple pasta recipe in plastic containers along with some plastic forks and paper towels. It’s tasty and easy to clean up!

Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken
Serves 4-6
Prep time: 15-20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
For Basil Pesto
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 small garlic clove, peeled
2 packed cups basil leaves
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil, divided

For Pasta Salad
1 pound spiral pasta
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 cup tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons pine nuts
Zest and juice of 1 lemon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Process pine nuts and garlic in a food processor until the texture of coarse sand; about 30 seconds.
2. Add basil and parmesan cheese, process until a paste forms. Add 1/3 cup olive oil. Process to incorporate; about 10 seconds.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking liquid. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water until the pasta is room temperature.
4. Heat an electric griddle, or large nonstick skillet. Coat with non-stick spray and cook chicken over medium heat until golden on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Let cool, then dice.
5. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, 1/4 cup pesto, pine nuts, lemon juice and zest. Toss to coat. Add pasta cooking liquid, a few tablespoons at a time, to coat pasta and thin the pesto sauce. Add chicken, toss and serve.