Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Pesto Chicken Salad combining tender chicken, crisp celery, and savory basil pesto for a refreshing meal or side dish.
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, basil pesto, mayonnaise, diced red onion, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is well combined and evenly coated with the basil pesto.
- Serve or chill: You can enjoy the salad immediately or cover it and chill in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use shredded chicken as an alternative to diced chicken depending on your preference.
- For a dairy boost, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan on top before serving.
- Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes improves the flavor blend.
- Use low-fat mayonnaise to reduce calories.
- Toast pine nuts lightly to bring out their natural flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
