Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad (Perfect for Meal Prep)

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that’s perfect for quick dinners, meal prep lunches, or get-togethers. Tender chicken, tortellini, juicy tomatoes, and mozzarella are tossed with basil pesto that’s ready in less than 30 minutes. This easy pasta salad is great served chilled or at room temperature!

If you’re looking for a quick dinner or easy lunch that doesn’t require much effort, this pesto tortellini pasta salad is a great solution.

Using store-bought pesto and pre-cooked rotisserie chicken keeps prep minimal while still delivering a dish that tastes fresh and homemade. Everything gets tossed together in one bowl, making this creamy chicken pesto pasta salad a great option for those nights when you want something filling without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

This 30 minute chicken pesto pasta salad is also ideal for meal prep and make-ahead meals. It stores well in the refrigerator and is just as delicious the next day, making it perfect for packing lunches or prepping ahead for busy weeks.

Since it’s served cold or at room temperature, it travels well too…great for potlucks, picnics, or backyard BBQs when you need a dish that everyone will love.

Another reason you’ll love this is because it’s easy to customize with ingredients you already have on hand.

You can add extra vegetables, swap the chicken for leftover grilled chicken, or toss in different cheeses to change up the flavor. 

Looking for more easy salad recipes? This chicken avocado pasta salad and taco pasta salad are favorites around here!

Ingredient Notes:

• Cheese Tortellini: Gives this pasta salad a hearty base. You can use either fresh or frozen tortellini, and both work equally well in this recipe.
• Pesto Sauce: Pesto is the star flavor in this dish, adding fresh basil flavor and a garlicky richness. Store-bought pesto works perfectly for convenience, but homemade pesto is also a great option if you have fresh basil on hand.
• Cooked Shredded Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest ways to make this recipe quickly. Pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken from the deli section saves time and adds great flavor, though leftover grilled or baked chicken works well too.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add freshness and a pop of color to the salad. 
• Mozzarella Pearls: These blend perfectly into pasta salads because their small size mixes evenly with the other ingredients. 
• Fresh Basil and Parmesan: Basil brightens the entire dish and enhances the pesto flavor, while shredded parmesan adds a savory, salty finish.

How to Make Chicken and Pesto Pasta Salad:

This recipe is a breeze to whip up! Be sure to check out the recipe card towards the bottom of the page for a full list of ingredients and directions.

• Cook: Boil the tortellini according to package directions. Drain, then rinse under cold water and add to a large bowl.
• Add: Spoon the pesto over the tortellini and gently toss to combine.
• Mix: Add in the rest of ingredients and mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Best Chicken to Use:

This recipe works with several types of chicken:

• Rotisserie Chicken: The quickest option and perfect for busy weeknights.
• Grilled Chicken: Adds smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with pesto.
• Baked Chicken Breast: Simple and easy if you’re cooking chicken specifically for this recipe.
• Leftover Chicken: A great way to use up leftovers from another meal.

Add-Ins and Variations:

You can easily customize this salad just the way you like!

Vegetables:

• roasted zucchini
• spinach
• bell peppers
• cucumbers
• artichoke hearts

Cheese Options:

• feta cheese
• goat cheese
• shaved parmesan

Crunchy Add-Ins:

• toasted pine nuts
• sliced almonds
• sunflower seeds

How to Keep Salad From Drying Out:

Pasta tends to absorb pesto as it sits. To keep the salad creamy and flavorful:

• Toss the pasta with pesto while it’s slightly warm
• Add a small drizzle of olive oil before serving if the tortellini starts to dry
• Reserve a little extra pesto and stir it in later
• Mix the salad again before serving to refresh the sauce

Storage and Make Ahead Tips:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

If making ahead:

• Prepare the pasta salad up to 24 hours in advance
• Add an extra spoonful of pesto before serving
• Stir well to redistribute the sauce

What to Serve With This Salad:

• garlic bread
• roasted vegetables, such as these carrots or this asparagus
• Instant Pot turkey burgers
• Maple glazed salmon

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below, share a photo with me on Instagram (tag @pumpkin_n_spice), or save this recipe to Pinterest so you can make it again whenever the craving hits!

More Simple Salads You’ll Love:

• Blueberry Spinach Salad
• Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad
• Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
• Caprese Pasta Salad