Pesto Pasta Salad with Leftover Cornish Hens
Cooking time: 25 minutes for menu Cooking schedule: see below for instructions
This is a variation on the traditional Pasta with Pesto Sauce, giving it a bit of Greek flair. It goes together quickly with the leftover, grilled Cornish Hens... or grilled chicken breasts.
Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken
Total time: 25 minutes
This is not the prettiest salad, pesto usually isn't... But the taste is wonderful: the feta and Greek Olives adding just the right amount of contrast to the chicken and pasta.
Ingredients:
- Leftover Cornish Hen (no marinade needed) OR
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- Marinade for chicken breasts:
- 1 tbs Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 tbs red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Pasta Salad:
- 1 1/4 cup (4.2oz, 125gr) pasta: gemelli, fusilli, penne
- 3oz (90gr) cherry tomatoes about 1/2 cup before slicing
- 3oz (90gr) feta
- 1/2 cup Greek or Kalamata olives
- 2 tbs fresh snipped chives
- Dressing:
- 2 tbs Greek or plain yogurt
- 4 tbs pesto
- 1 tbs salad olive oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Chicken Breasts:
- Mix Worcestershire, vinegar, basil and oil in a small bowl.
- Pour over chicken and allow to marinate a few minutes.
- Salad:
- Cut tomatoes in half.
- Cut feta into small cubes or crumble.
- Pit olives, if needed, and cut in half or thirds.
- Snip chives.
- Cook chicken, either on barbecue grill or nonstick skillet, 7 - 10 minutes per side, or until done.
- When done, remove and slice.
- To finish:
- In pasta bowl, mix pesto, oil and yogurt.
- When pasta is done drain, rinse lightly with cool water, drain well and add to pesto in bowl. Toss to coat.
- Add chicken, tomatoes, olives, feta and chives, toss gently to combine and serve.
Note: If using leftover chicken, cut into bite-size pieces and add to pasta.
Cooking schedule: 25 minutes
Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes
Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives,
scissors, pot and colander for pasta, pasta bowl,
marinating dish, barbecue grill or large skillet
Put water on high heat for pasta
Remove meat from Cornish Hens or
Make marinade for chicken, pour over chicken
Light/turn on barbecue grill if using
Cut tomatoes in half
Snip chives |
Cut feta
Pit olives if needed, cut
Start to cook pasta
Start to cook chicken if not using leftovers
Wait for everything to cook
Turn chicken
Remove chicken, slice
Drain pasta
Mix pesto, yogurt, oil
Add pasta, stir to combine
Finish salad and
Serve |