Ingredients
What you need
- 220g pasta
- 300g chicken breast
- 95g pesto
- 80g spinach
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
You'll also need
bowl, knife
Recipe
Loading the recipe.
Cooking steps and ingredient details are being prepared.
Lunch recipe
Herby Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad with Lemon
Chicken pesto pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a punchy dressing for work or school lunches.
30 min520 kcal3 base servingsMake AheadBatch CookLunchbox Friendly
ContainsGluten
Allergy and dietary checks
Shop Sorted can help flag food rules, but it cannot guarantee that a meal or product is allergen-free or suitable for your needs. Always check retailer labels, product packaging, ingredients and substitution notices before buying, cooking or eating.
Recipe and nutrition estimates
Recipe times, servings, calories and nutrition notes are estimates for planning. They are not medical or dietary advice. Check food is cooked safely and adjust recipes for your household's needs.
Image: Shop Sorted generated asset
Method
Step by step
Step 1Cook the pasta
Cook 220g pasta in boiling water with a pinch of salt for 9-11 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain well, then spread it out for 2 minutes so the steam escapes.
Step 2Prep the mix-ins
Roughly chop the spinach and halve the cherry tomatoes. Slice the chicken breast into thin strips, then fry in a teaspoon of olive oil for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through with no pink in the centre. Cool for 2 minutes before folding through.
Step 3Make the dressing
Stir pesto and lemon with 1 tablespoon olive oil, a little black pepper, and a pinch of salt only if needed.
Step 4Dress while warm
Toss the warm pasta with half the dressing for 30 seconds so it absorbs the flavour instead of sitting plain.
Step 5Fold everything together
Fold through the chicken breast and spinach and cherry tomatoes, then add the remaining dressing and toss again.
- Step 6
Pack or serve
Taste and adjust with black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Serve at room temperature, or cool quickly and keep chilled if packing ahead.
More to plan
Related recipes for the week
Lunch recipe
Herby Halloumi Pesto Pasta Salad with Spinach
Halloumi pesto pasta salad with spinach and cherry tomatoes for a make-ahead lunch.
View recipe
Lunch recipe
Herby Roast Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto
Roast chicken pasta salad with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and pesto for a make-ahead lunch.
View recipe
Lunch recipe
Spiced Chicken Piri Piri Pasta Salad with Lemon and Yoghurt
Make-ahead piri piri chicken pasta salad with tomatoes, spinach, and a cooling lemon yogurt dressing.
View recipe