This Rotisserie Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is packed with flavor, texture and is irresistible! Leftover chicken is seared until crispy golden brown, and then tossed in a creamy pesto sauce along with penne pasta, cherry tomatoes and toasted pecans - A terrific combination of flavors and is ready in under 30 minutes.
If you are looking for more summer salad ideas, then try my shrimp pasta salad recipe next!
👉 This rotisserie chicken pesto pasta salad recipe has been a reader favorite since I first shared the recipe in 2023. It was updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions and a short video in June 2025.
This is not your old school chicken pasta salad that's bland and tasteless, sitting sadly buried under a load of mayonnaise.
Instead of simply tossing the shredded rotisserie chicken in with the rest of the ingredients, I give it a quick sear in olive oil. This adds golden, crispy edges and a deeper, richer flavor.
Toasted pecans bring a satisfying crunch and earthy depth, while cherry tomatoes add bursts of color and juicy freshness. A generous swirl of creamy basil pesto ties everything together.
It’s vibrant, fresh, and effortlessly flavorful—perfect for a workday lunch or a laid-back summer gathering, just like this quinoa black bean salad.
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Why our recipe?
- Rotisserie chicken gets a flavorful upgrade with a quick sear to golden-brown perfection.
- Toasted pecans add an irresistible crunch.
- While this salad screams summer, the convenience of store-bought basil pesto means you can enjoy it all year long.
- It’s a delicious and easy way to repurpose leftovers—ideal for weekday lunches, casual summer gatherings, potlucks, picnics, or backyard get-togethers.
Short Video
Ingredients you'll need
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Chicken – Rotisserie chicken or lightly seasoned chicken breast works beautifully here.
- Pasta – Any short to medium pasta shape will do, even plain leftover pasta from the night before. I used penne, just like in many of our favorite penne pasta recipes.
- Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are ideal for their juicy burst, thin skins, and concentrated sweetness—especially in peak summer. Chopped vine-ripened tomatoes are a great alternative if that’s what you have on hand.
- Pecans – Toasting brings out their buttery richness and adds the perfect crunch. (Check out our blog post on how to toast pecans for best results.)
- Pesto – Store-bought pesto keeps things quick and flavorful. I love the one from Costco’s refrigerated section for its fresh, vibrant taste.
- Mayonnaise – A little mayo keeps the dish extra creamy and helps balance the pesto without making it greasy.
🌿 Looking for more ways to use basil pesto? Try my instant pot pesto pasta or the creamy chicken pesto pasta recipe next!
Substitutions & Variations
- Use any pasta shape - You can make pesto chicken pasta salad with any noodle your heart desires. But a shape with some nooks and crannies will help trap the creamy dressing, like penne, fusilli, rotini or bow ties.
- Healthier alternative - Use plain yogurt along with a dash of sugar instead of mayonnaise.
- Other delicious add-ins - Olives will add tanginess and pepperoncini peppers add a little extra kick.
- Want to keep it vegetarian? Cook drained and rinsed canned chickpeas instead of chicken.
- Add some greens - Toss in fresh baby spinach at the end.
- Love cheese - Add diced fresh mozzarella or crumbled feta cheese.
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How to make rotisserie chicken pasta salad?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Recipe tips
- Season to taste – The rotisserie chicken, pesto, and penne bring plenty of flavor, so season lightly and adjust to your liking.
- Toast your pecans – Toasting adds deeper flavor and crunch. Bake on a sheet pan at 350°F for 5–10 minutes, until fragrant and golden.
- Sear, don’t stir – Cook chicken over high heat without moving it too much. This helps it brown beautifully and adds rich, layered flavor.
- Cook pasta just past al dente – Slightly softer pasta works best, as it firms up when chilled and is ideal for room-temp salads.
- Serve at room temp – Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, but let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Recipe FAQs
The only time you should rinse your pasta is when you are going to use it in a cold dish like a pasta salad. This removes the excess starch and let the pasta not stick together when cold.
Few recipes advise to add a dash of oil to the boiling water, claiming that it'll keep the pieces separated. Unfortunately, the oil just floats on top and does not solve the intended purpose. The best method is to rinse the pasta immediately after cooking to remove the excess starches.
Technically yes but not recommended. The mayonnaise might separate when you thaw and the consistency might turn watery.
More Chicken Pasta recipes to try
Rotisserie Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta cooked and cooled
- 4 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- ¾ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup toasted pecans chopped
- 2 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken and give a good toss.
- Cook over high heat for 3–4 minutes, tossing occasionally, until most pieces develop a golden, crusty exterior. Avoid stirring too often to let the meat sear properly. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- Add cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, toasted pecans, pesto, mayo, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Toss well.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Totally love that you sautéed the chicken in olive oil for extra flavor! This pasta looks amazing. Makes me want to go on a picnic and make this to eat!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I"m often at a loss of what to do with my leftover rotisserie chicken. This is such a great way to use it up! It looks delicious, and who doesn't like pasta salad!?