Don't use this sauce. It's great with plain cheese, perhaps the pesto without the creamy stuff.

This is my new favorite pasta salad. As others sugguested I left out the chicken and used a 12oz box of pasta rather than 16oz. I used about 2/3 cup of store bought pesto and then added some chopped fresh basil leaves. I also bought buttermilk ranch dressing instead of making the buttermilk dressing in this recipe. I put it on the side, just in case people didn't want it on the salad. (Because it is really good with just the pesto) Everyone added it anyway and LOVED IT! This is a keeper!

Excellent combination of flavors... I used mini bowties, about 12 oz. Doubled the tomatoes and asparagus. Used home made pesto and about half the called for creamy dressing. Was gobbled up at a bridal shower!

this recipe was amazing!! Ive had 10 requests for the recipe and I only made it once!

This is a fabulous salad! I made this for a girls weekend. I kept the pasta seperate from the other salad ingredients. I mixed the dressing in a mason jar and put it all together when I got to the cabin. It was gone in the first sitting. I swear it's the dressing...it's nice to have this over a regular lettuce salad also.

This was awesome! We also had it without chicken since there was a vegetarian in the crowd. While the pine nuts were good, I don't personally think they were worth the $10 they cost. This is a great, refreshing, different pasta salad!

Wonderful! I doubled the buttermilk dressing recipe, and left it on the side for those who just wanted pesto, also used more pesto than recipe calls for. This recipe is great with out the chicken, and also adding other vegetables. Great for summer!

This pasta salad is wonderful! It has all my favorite things in it. I did add more pesto, as others have stated. Other than that, made as directed, and the results were well received by everyone.

Very tasty and light...great dish.

I'm sorry to have to rate this a 3. Perhaps I did something wrong....I don't think so. This recipe does make a lot so that is a plus. I did not care for the dressing. If I make it again I will only add the pesto sauce. I had to double the pesto sauce. Also, I would add more asparagus. But even with those changes I don't think I would make it again. Just so so, in my opinion.

I too took this to a baby shower, and the guests really enjoyed it and asked me where I got the recipe. I didn't really change anything, I just used extra pesto (maybe almost double the amount called for...I love pesto) and I used marinated artichoke hearts. I think my only complaint would be that the dressing was a bit boring and the vinegar was too strong. I'd definitely make this again, just perhaps with a different dressing.

Very good ingredients for the salad!! I made this the other day for a baby shower, and it turned out great but I wasn't too please with the dressing. I made the dressing the night before to let it sit and I even doubled it to make sure I had enough per other reviews. I dressed it an hour before the party and I couldn't really taste it at all... it was pretty dry. It didn't seem to matter to anyone else because all the ingredients are soo good alone! Next time I may try a creamier dressing though. Also, I didn't buy pine nuts- cause they are so expensive and I already had tons of walnuts and it turned out great!! Thanks for the recipe!! I'll def. make again just with a change to the dressing :)

I thought the recipe was delicious. It was the perfect summer dish.

This salad was a refreshing main dish for warm days. I added freshly ground mixed pepper and freshly grated parmesan cheese (in addition to more salt). I also sprinkled the toasted pine nuts over the top right before serving, so they wouldn't get soft. This recipe makes a lot, so it is perfect for sharing. Definitely a keeper.

This was pretty good. I think it needed more garlic. I agree with the previous comment about not omitting the pine nuts - they really add something. Our grocery store was out of artichoke hearts so I left them out - something was missing and maybe that was it? Will give another try.

I made this to serve with hamburgers. My husband skipped the burgers and ate the salad. Best one so far.

I just made this tonight for a dinner party and everybody loved it- had no problems giving away leftovers. I used a little less pasta and salt and threw in some red onion. The buttermilk in the dressing adds some bite and differentiates this dish from standard issue pasta salads. I'll definitely make this one again. Thanks.

I made this pasta salad for my daughter's 1st birthday and it was a hit! I adjusted the servings to serve 24. I refrigerated the dressing and it calmed down the heavy vinigar smell and it helped. I didn't have rice wine vinigar so I substituted red wine vinigar. I also didn't add the chicken as it was for a side dish. I also used corkscrew pasta. I do think next time I will add a lit