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Lunch recipe

Herby Roast Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto

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Roast chicken pasta salad with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and pesto for a make-ahead lunch.

Start planningStart cookingIngredients
30 min520 kcal3 base servingsMake AheadBatch CookLunchbox Friendly
ContainsGluten
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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.

Focus ingredients: chicken breast, roasted vegetables

Dietary fit: Lower Sugar

Serving tip: If making ahead, loosen with a teaspoon of water or lemon juice before eating because chilled pasta firms up.

Roast Chicken Pasta Salad plated and ready to serve.

Image: Shop Sorted generated asset

Ingredients

What you need

  • 220g pasta
  • 300g chicken breast
  • 200g roasted vegetables
  • 80g spinach
  • 200g cherry tomatoes
  • 95g pesto
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

You'll also need

bowl, knife

Method

Step by step

Up to 8 clear steps
  1. Roast Chicken Pasta Salad cooking step 1: Get prepped.
    Step 1

    Cook 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.

    11 min
  2. Roast Chicken Pasta Salad cooking step 2: Start cooking.
    Step 2

    Prep the mix-ins

    Roughly chop the spinach, halve the cherry tomatoes, and cut the roasted vegetables into bite-sized pieces. 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.

    8 min
  3. Roast Chicken Pasta Salad cooking step 3: Build the flavour.
    Step 3

    Make the dressing

    Stir pesto with 1 tablespoon olive oil, a little black pepper, and a pinch of salt only if needed.

  4. Roast Chicken Pasta Salad cooking step 4: Bring it together.
    Step 4

    Dress while warm

    Toss the warm pasta with half the dressing for 30 seconds so it absorbs the flavour instead of sitting plain.

    1 min
  5. Roast Chicken Pasta Salad cooking step 5: Finish the dish.
    Step 5

    Fold everything together

    Fold through the chicken breast, roasted vegetables, spinach and cherry tomatoes, then add the remaining dressing and toss again.

  6. Step 6

    Pack or serve

    Taste and adjust with black pepper. Serve at room temperature, or cool quickly and keep chilled if packing ahead.