Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Pesto Chicken Salad combining tender chicken, crunchy celery, fresh basil pesto, and toasted pine nuts for a delicious, protein-packed meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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, stir together the diced chicken, diced celery, basil pesto, mayonnaise, diced red onion, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until everything is well combined and evenly coated with the basil pesto.
- Serve or Chill. Enjoy the salad immediately or cover and refrigerate it to chill for later, enhancing the flavors and serving cold as a refreshing dish.
Notes
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful option.
- To make it dairy-free, omit the optional parmesan cheese.
- Toast pine nuts lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden for extra flavor.
- This salad can be served on its own, over greens, or in a sandwich for versatility.
- Chilling for at least one hour improves the flavor melding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
