If you want to prepare the pasta salad in the morning, you can complete the following steps ahead of time. Roast the pine nuts and let them cool completely. Then, store them in a sealed container.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and let it cool to room temperature. Fry the bacon until cooked through, then let it cool. Mix everything together, then store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat.

Making pasta salad with chicken

Twenty minutes before serving, follow these steps. Remove the pasta and bacon mixture from the refrigerator and mix in the pesto.

Cut the cucumber into pieces, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the smoked chicken breast into thin pieces. Mix these ingredients into the pasta salad, then divide it between serving bowls. Sprinkle pine nuts on top. Serve with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and arugula, if desired.