Description
Pesto Chicken Salad is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining tender diced chicken with fresh basil pesto, crunchy celery, toasted pine nuts, and a hint of red onion. This versatile salad can be served immediately or chilled for a refreshing meal perfect for lunch, picnics, or light dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Salad
- 3 cups diced chicken (or shredded chicken)
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced chicken, celery, basil pesto, mayonnaise, red onion, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the basil pesto and the mixture is well combined.
- Serve or Chill: You can enjoy this salad immediately or cover and chill it in the refrigerator for later use to enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken from rotisserie, grilled, or boiled according to preference.
- To toast pine nuts, lightly dry roast them in a skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant.
- Adding freshly grated parmesan enhances the flavor but is optional.
- This salad can be served on its own, with bread, or as a sandwich filling.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use a low-fat mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approximately 3/4 cup)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
