Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Name: Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 breast half, bone and skin removed (blank)s skinless, boneless chicken breast halves; salt and ground black pepper to taste; 1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta; 1 pinch garlic salt, or to taste; ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 lemon, juiced; ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste; 1 (10 ounce) package baby spinach leaves

Rating: 4.22 stars

9 Ratings
7 Reviews
7 Photos

Easy cold salad recipe.

By philly6288

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

40 mins

additional:

2 hrs

total:

2 hrs 55 mins

Servings:

Yield:

6 servings

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 6 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

2 breast half, bone and skin removed (blank)s skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta
1 pinch garlic salt, or to taste
½ cup vegetable oil
1 lemon, juiced
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
1 (10 ounce) package baby spinach leaves

Directions

Step 1

Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

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Step 2

Cook chicken breasts on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cut chicken into cubes.
Step 3

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Season pasta with garlic salt.
Step 4

Whisk vegetable oil, lemon juice, basil, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. Add pasta, chicken, and spinach leaves. Toss to coat.
Step 5

Cover and chill for 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

513 calories; protein 20.7g 42% DV; carbohydrates 59.1g 19% DV; fat 21.4g 33% DV; cholesterol 25.3mg 8% DV; sodium 166.9mg 7% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (7)

Most helpful positive review

lutzflcat

06/06/2013

I made this exactly as written tasted and felt adjustments were needed. The lemon flavor was weak so I added additional lemon juice as well as lemon zest. I think this pasta salad is a bit lacking in seasoning so I did add some pepper and a little more garlic salt. If you're looking for a bold pasta salad this isn't for you as the flavor is mild and mellow. I'm not the world's biggest pasta salad person but I do enjoy one occasionally. This made a nice dinner along with a fresh fruit salad and hot bread. Thanks philly6288 for sharing. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Most helpful critical review

Babycakes

08/29/2013

I like the flexibility of this recipe - it was good chilled but can also be served with the chicken hot off the grill. Additional vegetables can also be added which is a plus. I agree with the previous reviewer that the lemon flavor was weak so I also added more lemon juice and brushed the chicken with lemon juice while grilling. I used olive oil instead of vegetable oil. A good picnic salad. Thanks! Read More

Helpful

(3)

9 Ratings

5 star values: 3
4 star values: 5
3 star values: 1
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Babycakes

08/29/2013

Helpful

(3)

lutzflcat

06/06/2013

Helpful

(3)

Johannah

07/20/2017

Good basic recipe. Followed other comments and used olive oil in place of vegetable oil and lemon zest for more flavor. Substituted baby arugula for spinach added cherry tomatoes for a pop of color. Served with shrimp instead of tossing in chicken. Read More

Helpful

(2)

bonk1718

07/13/2016

Great flavor. Used chopped garlic rather than powder. Had to add more oil and lemon the next day Read More

Helpful

(1)

henrysmama

07/15/2018

As others have suggested this recipe needs some honing. I used olive oil and found I needed to add more after I'd tossed in the pasta and chicken along with more garlic salt and pepper. I like the idea of using arugula and will try that next time as the spinach leaves seemed a bit unwieldly (and a 10 oz bag is way too much. I used maybe 3 oz.). In the interest of time I also cheated and used pre-cooked and sliced seasoned Italian chicken strips. Read More

Dawn Grosser

04/25/2018

Nice change. Added lemon zest and some extra veggies to adjust it to our taste. Will make it again Read More

Keep It Simple Cook

08/12/2020

I enjoyed this. It was fairly basic so you can change it up however you like. My husband is not a fan of lemon so I don't add any dressing and we pick our own dressing to add to our individual portions. But I really like the lemon dressing. Read More

Back to Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

All Reviews for Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

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Nutritional Information

Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Servings Per Recipe: 6
Calories: 512.5

% Daily Value *

protein: 42 %

carbohydrates: 19 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 14 %

sugars:

fat: 33 %

saturated fat: 20 %

cholesterol: 8 %

vitamin a iu: 90 %

niacin equivalents: 107 %

vitamin b6: 23 %

vitamin c: 28 %

folate: 68 %

calcium: 11 %

iron: 23 %

magnesium: 31 %

potassium: 14 %

sodium: 7 %

thiamin: 6 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.