Whether it’s Women’s Day or it isn’t, this Women’s Day Pasta Salad is here to be as bold and as powerful as its namesake. Homemade pesto brings brightness, nuttiness, and zest over tender pasta, with bursts of juicy tomato and savory chicken for extra kicks of flavor! Celebrate the women in your life; give them Women’s Day Pasta Salad as a small gesture of your esteem!
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta, of your choice, such as cellentani or cavatappi
- 2 tablespoons almonds, toasted
- 1 small clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 ounces baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pecorino or parmesan, grated
- kosher salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced
Directions
Step 1 –Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 2 –Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot.
Step 3 –In a food processor, pulse the almonds, the garlic, and the lemon zest until finely chopped.
Step 4 –Add the spinach, the oil, the pecorino, the salt, and the pepper and purée until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Step 5 –Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding the reserved pasta water as needed if the pasta seems dry.
Step 6 –Add the tomatoes, the chicken, and the onions, tossing to combine.
Step 7 –Serve.
