5 from 3 votes
Pesto Chicken Salad
With just 6 simple ingredients, this delicious, protein-packed chicken salad will keep you coming back for more. It's perfect for meal prep!
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
214 kcal
Course:
Salad, Lunch
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, American
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken breast packed, shredded or diced, about 10 oz
- ¼ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt plain, nonfat or 2%
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (I use avocado oil mayonnaise)
- 1 shallot finely chopped (¼ cup) (can substitute onion or scallions)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Optional mix-ins:
- celery chopped celery, diced apples
- almonds
- pine nuts
- sun-dried tomatoes
- roasted red peppers
- apple
- grapes
- feta cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined. Stir in any optional ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. See Notes section below for ideas on how to serve this chicken salad.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- pesto
- sun-dried tomato pesto
- air fryer
- Here are some ideas for how to serve this pesto chicken salad:
- quinoa
- farro
- I use store-bought pesto for convenience but you can use homemade pesto; it's a great way to use up fresh basil in the summer. You can also try my delicious sun-dried tomato pesto (pesto rosso).
- You can cook your own chicken breast or use rotisserie chicken as a short-cut. I like cooking chicken breast in the air fryer- it gives perfectly juicy chicken. I cook thin-cut breasts at 360°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Sandwiches or Wraps: Make a sandwich with whole-grain bread or a pita, or make a wrap with a whole-grain tortilla.
- Sandwiches or Wraps: Make a sandwich with whole-grain bread or a pita, or make a wrap with a whole-grain tortilla.
- Grain Bowl: Mix the chicken salad with cooked quinoa, brown rice, or farro to create a hearty grain bowl. Top with some fresh veggies/
- Grain Bowl: Mix the chicken salad with cooked quinoa, brown rice, or farro to create a hearty grain bowl. Top with some fresh veggies/
- Salad Greens: Serve on a bed of mixed greens or spinach and add colorful veggies like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions.
- Salad Greens: Serve on a bed of mixed greens or spinach and add colorful veggies like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions.
- Veggie Sticks or Crackers: Pair the pesto chicken salad with crunchy veggie sticks like carrot sticks, celery, or bell pepper strips or crackers.
- Veggie Sticks or Crackers: Pair the pesto chicken salad with crunchy veggie sticks like carrot sticks, celery, or bell pepper strips or crackers.
- Cucumber slices: Top cucumber slices with the chicken salad for a delicious low-carb snack or appetizer for parties.
- Cucumber slices: Top cucumber slices with the chicken salad for a delicious low-carb snack or appetizer for parties.
- Lettuce Wraps: Scoop into large lettuce leaves for a low-carb, crunchy wrap.
- Lettuce Wraps: Scoop into large lettuce leaves for a low-carb, crunchy wrap.
- Stuffed Avocado: Fill halved avocados with the pesto chicken salad for a delightful and visually appealing meal.
- Stuffed Avocado: Fill halved avocados with the pesto chicken salad for a delightful and visually appealing meal.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5 cup
Calories
214kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
3g
(1%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
225mg
(9%)
Potassium
184mg
(4%)
Fiber
0.5g
(2%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
350IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 214
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5 cup | |
| Calories | 214kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 225mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 184mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.5g | 2% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 350IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.