Tomato-Basil Pasta Salad w/ Cajun Chicken
“Tomato Basil Pasta salad with Cajun Chicken made with easy fresh ingredients. Perfect summer pasta salad recipe topped with fresh parmesan cheese!”
My family and I came back from a much-needed beach vacation last week for my birthday! We had a blast!
Whenever we go on week-long vacations I always make a fresh pasta salad for the fridge. It’s just nice to have something homemade and refreshing to snack on between all of that restaurant hopping and bad eating.
It was the perfect time for me to try this tomato basil pasta salad recipe. I also added some cajun chicken to make it a bit more filling. I had a very similar dish the last time I went to the beach, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
I believe it was called bruschetta pasta salad. Personally, I love anything with that tomato-basil-parmesan trinity, so I knew I’d be in love.
The recipe was pretty easy to recreate, and it’s one of those beauties where you really can’t go wrong. Simply add in or take away whatever ingredients tickle your fancy. I think that’s why I like pasta salads so much. They don’t really require a recipe, mainly just your taste buds!
I used fresh vine tomatoes, and they were bursting with flavor. The spiciness from the chicken was a nice contrast up against the cool, fresh tomato and basil flavors. And the fresh parmesan ties everything together, so be sure to ADD LOTS OF IT!!
This is such an elegant-looking pasta salad, don’t you think?
Watch me make this Tomato Basil w/ Cajun Chicken Pasta Salad from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil w/ Cajun Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups mini penne pasta, cooked al dente and drained
- 1 lb chicken breast, dice into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, I used Old Bay Blackening season
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 medium vine ripened tomatoes, diced
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped ( I used about 5-6 leaves)
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced (Can cook garlic prior if desired)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, more or less according to preferrence
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Mix together sea salt, cajun seasoning and garlic powder. (double if you like super seasoned and spicy chicken)
- Sprinkle seasonings over the cubed chicken and toss to distribute seasoning.
- Coat nonstick skillet in olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook chicken until done, being careful not to overcook. Set aside.
- In a large bowl toss together diced tomatoes, chopped basil and minced garlic.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Stir in cooked pasta and chicken.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper (do not over salt, flavors will intensify as it chills)
- Refrigerate for 3 hours.
- When ready to serve, plate and top with fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Video
Want more amazingly easy pasta salads?
Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad
BLT Caesar Pasta Salad
Love, Love, Love what you do! Fresh, authentic personality, and feels like one of my girls! all the best.
Keep it coming.
I found you on a streaming channel on my Roku device!
I’ll be trying this on my guests today for a pre-Memorial Day get together…I can’t wait…however, I’m partial to basil so I’ll be using cilantro….Hmmmm, I’ll be back with results…lol