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Pesto Pasta Salad with Pan Fried Chicken Breast

Dawn & Allan
An easy, versatile pasta salad which can be either vegetarian or vegan. It's a great and filling lunch!!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Lunch, Lunchbox, Main Course
Cuisine American, Continental
Servings 2 Generous main meal portions

Equipment

  • 1 Electronic digital scales
  • 1 Medium sized, heavy bottomed fry pan

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 2 Skinless Chicken Breast approx 110 - 130g each [4- 4 1/2 ounces]
  • 175 grams Uncooked Macaroni [3/4 cup]
  • 2 large Free Range Eggs
  • 70 grams Spring Onion [ 1/3 cup ] 2-3 large
  • 70 grams Fresh or Frozen Peas [ 1/3 cup ]
  • 100 grams Feta Cheese [ 1/2 cup, shy ] crumbled
  • 20 grams Pine Nuts handful
  • 30 grams Pumpkin Seeds handful
  • 1 Avocado
  • Salt & White Pepper to taste
  • Roquette Leaves, or Mixed Leaves baby arugula or Mixed leaves
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish optional

For the Dressing

  • 2 Tablespoons Pesto Sauce Note 1
  • 4 Tablespoons Cooking water from the macaroni
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Instructions
 

  • Gather and weigh your ingredients
  • Pour the 2 Tablespoons of Pesto & the 2 Tablespoons of Olive oil in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • Set a medium saucepan of water on medium high heat and bring to the boil. Add the dried macaroni and cook according to packet instructions. Before you drain the pasta, remove 4 Tablespoons of the cooking liquid and pour into the bowl with the pesto and olive oil. Drain and refresh the cooked pasta. Drizzle a bit of olive oil into the pasta if you are not quite ready to dress the salad.
  • Brush the Chicken Breasts on both sides with some Pesto Sauce. Sautee over medium heat until cooked through (approx 12-15 minutes) Remove from the pan and set aside. When cool enough to handle, slice into approx 1 cm pieces
  • Meanwhile, boil the eggs over a gently rolling pan of water for 12 minutes. Remove from the water, refresh and peel; cut into quarters
  • Using a small, dry fry pan over medium high heat, toast the pine nuts - shaking the pan constantly until golden - about 3 minutes. Tip into a container to cool, and repeat with the pumpkin seeds - sometimes the seeds will "pop"; don't worry about it and continue to cook until golden. Remove from the heat and cool
  • If you are using fresh peas, flash them for a few minutes in boiling water, drain and refresh. If using frozen peas, they don't require any prep.
  • Mince the spring onions.
  • Whisk the dressing, add the pasta, peas, spring onion, and 2/3 of the crumbled feta cheese. Add salt and white pepper to taste and gently mix together.

To assemble

  • Slice the avocado. Place some leaves on your serving plate and add a spoonful or two of the pasta salad. Layer up and add some more leaves and top with the sliced chicken breast. Arrange the avocado wedges and eggs, add the extra feta cheese and toss in the toasted seeds. Garnish with fresh basil leaves [Note 2]

Notes

Note 1. Keeping a jar of pesto sauce in the fridge is a great idea for last minute meals. 
 
Note 2. Chiffonade
 
Vegetarian Option:  Remove the chicken breast - for an extra bit of protein, add about 100 grams [ about 1/2 cup] of cooked and drained cannellini beans
 
Vegan Option:  Remove the chicken breasts, boiled egg and the feta cheese.  Replace with vegan feta cheese (there are some very good options available) and replace the chicken breasts with about 100 grams [ 1/2 cup] of cooked and drained cannellini beans.  Add extra avocado and toasted seeds.