Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken, Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

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

INGRIDIENT

1 large garlic clove, minced

⅓ cup mayonnaise

⅓ cup sour cream

⅓ cup buttermilk

3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

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

½ cup pine nuts, toasted in a small skillet over low heat until golden

¼ cup pesto (homemade or refrigerated prepared variety)

DIRECTION

Step: 1

Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl; keep chilled until ready to toss with salad. (Store in clean jar with lid.)

Step: 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.

Step: 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.

NUTRITION FACT

Per Serving: 547 calories; protein 29.3g; carbohydrates 50.4g; fat 26.4g; cholesterol 60.5mg; sodium 2107.5mg.

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