How do you make a chicken pesto salad?

First, combine cooked chicken, celery, red onion, basil pesto, mayonnaise, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Then, mix everything until the dressing evenly coats the ingredients. Finally, add Parmesan if desired and serve cold.

What salad goes well with pesto chicken?

A simple green salad goes very well with pesto chicken. For example, combine lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes for a fresh side. The crisp vegetables balance the creamy pesto flavor.

Does chicken go well with pesto?

Yes. Chicken has a mild flavor that pairs very well with pesto. Meanwhile, basil, garlic, and Parmesan add fresh and savory flavors to the chicken.

What are the ingredients in a 5-ingredient chicken salad?

For a simple five ingredient version, use cooked chicken, celery, basil pesto, mayonnaise, and red onion. However, adding pine nuts, salt, pepper, and Parmesan gives the salad more texture and flavor.

Pesto Chicken Salad Recipe : Ultimate Easy Lunch

Name: Pesto Chicken Salad: Easy Creamy Lunch Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken; 2 celery ribs, diced; 1/2 cup basil pesto; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup red onion, diced; 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; Freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Description

Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad combines tender chicken, crisp celery, red onion, toasted pine nuts, and a rich basil pesto mayonnaise dressing. This easy cold chicken salad takes just 25 minutes and works well for lunch, sandwiches, wraps, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken

2 celery ribs, diced

1/2 cup basil pesto

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Freshly grated Parmesan, optional

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Instructions

1. Add the diced or shredded chicken, celery, basil pesto, mayonnaise, red onion, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl.

2. Mix everything well until the chicken and vegetables have an even coating of creamy pesto dressing.

3. Taste the Pesto Chicken Salad and adjust the salt or black pepper if needed.

4. Add freshly grated Parmesan if desired.

5. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Notes

Poached chicken works well for this recipe and can be diced or shredded. Store bought rotisserie chicken also makes a quick alternative.

Toast the pine nuts for a few minutes to bring out their nutty flavor. You can also use them raw.

Freshly grated Parmesan is optional.

Homemade or store bought basil pesto and mayonnaise both work well.

Keep the Pesto Chicken Salad refrigerated.

Do not leave the salad at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days.

Freezing is not recommended because the mayonnaise dressing and crisp vegetables can change texture.

Nutrition per serving also provides 358 mg potassium, 507 IU vitamin A, 2 mg vitamin C, 46 mg calcium, and 1 mg iron.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Chicken Recipes
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 272
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 544 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0.03 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 54 mg