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Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken, Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

SUBMITTED BY: USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

"A tangy buttermilk dressing ties together this pasta salad studded with asparagus, chicken, artichokes, and cherry tomatoes!"

SERVINGS

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Servings
 

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • Creamy Buttermilk Dressing:
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  •  
  • Pasta Salad:
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 pound bow tie (farfalle) pasta
  • 8 ounces trimmed asparagus, cut into 1-inch lengths
  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast strips, pulled into bite-size pieces
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved and lightly salted
  • 1 (14 ounce) can whole artichoke hearts, drained, cut into sixths
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted in a small skillet over low heat until golden
  • 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or refrigerated prepared variety)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl; keep chilled until ready to toss with salad. (Store in clean jar with lid.)
  2. Bring 1 gallon of water and 2 Tbs. of salt to boil in a large soup kettle. Add pasta and, using package times as a guide, boil, stirring frequently and adding asparagus the last 1 minute, until just tender. Drain thoroughly (do not rinse) and dump onto a large, lipped cookie sheet. Set aside to cool while preparing remaining salad ingredients.
  3. Place all salad ingredients (except buttermilk dressing) in a large bowl or transfer to a gallon-size zippered bag. (Can be covered and refrigerated several hours at this point.) When ready to serve, add dressing; toss to coat and serve.

FOOTNOTES


REVIEWS

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 9, 2006 by Donna E.
This is my new favorite pasta salad. I even left out the chicken because I was serving to a... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 17, 2006 by NoCarnations
I was surprised by the overpowering smell of the vinegar in the sauce. I put the sauce on and... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2006 by Kathyf
I found the need to add more dressing and pesto after it had had time to marinate. I would... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 30, 2008 by BrandonH
this recipe was amazing!! Ive had 10 requests for the recipe and I only made it once! MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2008 by Joyce
This is a fabulous salad! I made this for a girls weekend. I kept the pasta seperate from... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 15, 2007 by KaraAnn
I too took this to a baby shower, and the guests really enjoyed it and asked me where I got... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2006 by M2MIN
I used Barilla Campanelle pasta in place of the bow tie because I think it holds... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 3, 2008 by femtoandre
I have prepared this salad now multiple times because it is delicious, quick to prepare and at... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 25, 2008 by Robyn
Don't use this sauce. It's great with plain cheese, perhaps the pesto without the creamy stuff. MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 4, 2008 by Amanda F.