Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Pesto Chicken Salad combining tender diced chicken with fresh basil pesto, crunchy celery, toasted pine nuts, and a hint of red onion. Perfect for a light lunch or as a sandwich filling, this salad can be enjoyed immediately or chilled for later.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups diced 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, stir together the diced chicken, diced celery ribs, basil pesto, mayonnaise, diced red onion, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined and evenly coated.
- Serve or Chill: Enjoy the Pesto Chicken Salad immediately or cover and refrigerate for later use to let the flavors meld. Optionally, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan before serving for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use cooked rotisserie chicken as a convenient shortcut.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Toast pine nuts gently in a dry skillet to enhance their flavor.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially if your pesto is already salted.
- This salad can be served on greens, in a sandwich, or with crackers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
