Italian Chicken-pesto Pasta Salad

Total Time: 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 1/2 lbs penne (or large pasta of choice) or 1 1/2 lbs spiral pasta (or large pasta of choice)
• 2 -3 tablespoons oil
• 2 plum tomatoes, chopped (roma tomatoes)
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken (can use more)
• salt (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/3-1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup prepared pesto sauce (use homemade or purchased, for a stronger flavor increase to 1-1/4 cups)
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (do not use salad dressing)

Recipe

• 1 cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente (do not overcook the pasta; drain in a colander then rinse well under cold water.
• 2 drain the pasta well in the colander.
• 3 place the pasta in a large bowl then toss with 2-3 tablespoons oil.
• 4 add in chopped tomatoes and cooked cubed chicken; toss to coat.
• 5 for the dressing; in a processor puree the prepared pesto with the spinach and lemon juice.
• 6 add in the mayonnaise and pulse until blended.
• 7 add the mayo mixture to the pasta mixture; toss to combine.
• 8 mix in the parmesan cheese then season with salt and pepper.