Description
A delightful blend of shredded chicken and vibrant pesto mixed with fresh veggies, creating a comforting and versatile salad.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill or sear for 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let rest before shredding or dicing.
- Prepare the Pesto: If making homemade, blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until creamy. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked chicken with pesto and mayonnaise until well coated.
- Add Crunch and Freshness: Toss in cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and mixed greens. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.
- Serve It Up: Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with additional pine nuts and basil.
- Taste Test: Adjust any seasonings as desired before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian twist, substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or tofu. Experiment with nuts like walnuts or almonds for different flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: pesto, chicken salad, easy recipe, healthy lunch, family favorite