Pesto Chicken Salad
25 Comments
Updated May 23, 2024
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This pesto chicken salad is everything you want in a summer meal. Juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and toasted pine nuts get tossed with a fresh and creamy basil pesto sauce that takes this salad over the top. Plus, it double duties as a durable meal prep idea for the week or a crowd-loving summer salad.
Don’t get me wrong — my ultimate chicken salad can never be replaced, especially with how many raving reviews it has. But when basil season is upon us, it’s time to turn a new (green) leaf on a classic by mixing chicken salad with my homemade basil pesto sauce. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but I have to say, this pesto chicken salad is almost too good. If you love pesto as much as I do… it’s guaranteed to be a summer salad favorite.
Pesto Chicken Salad Ingredients
The ingredient list is quite simple. But I’ve got a few notes below on the condiments used in this salad.
- Chicken: Follow my poached chicken recipe for perfectly cooked chicken. Then, you can dice it into cubes or make shredded chicken. Want an even easier shortcut? Use store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Vegetables: Diced celery ribs and red onion add crisp and crunchy goodness (and a pop of red!).
- Nuts: I love toasting the pine nuts for just a few minutes for an even better nutty flavor. But feel free to use raw nuts as well.
- Cheese: The cheese is optional, but a sprinkle of grated parmesan is a delicious addition.
- Sauce: Stir the mayonnaise and basil pesto for a fresh and creamy combo. I truly believe homemade is best for both condiments. So I’ve linked my basil pesto recipe below, and here’s how to make mayonnaise.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card.
How to Make Pesto Chicken Salad
Stir the salad. Once you have everything sliced and diced, add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Stir until the salad is well combined and evenly coated with the basil pesto.
Serve or chill. You can enjoy this salad right away or leave it chilled in the fridge for later.
Storage Tips
Since this recipe is meant to be chilled, don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours. Otherwise, store it in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Turn the best of summer produce into these easy summer salads. And if you need a few more ideas, take a peek through this list of salad recipes that will hopefully spur your creative juices in the kitchen.
- Greek Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Caprese Salad
- Tuna Salad (or this delicious salmon salad!)
- Classic Potato Salad
I hope you love this pesto chicken salad as much as I do for the summer season! Once you make it, let me know your thoughts in the comment box below.
Pesto Chicken Salad
Description
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced chicken (or shredded chicken)
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- ½ cup basil pesto
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Stir. In a large mixing bowl, stir together all the ingredients until it's well combined and evenly coated with the basil pesto.
- Serve or chill. Enjoy this salad right away or leave it chilled in the fridge for later.
Nutrition
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I made this but pesto is strong, and needs something else to balance it out. Extra celery would be good. Ate with chopped cucumber.
Hello Lisa, made this salad yesterday for lunch, my husband and I we both loved it!
I am keeping this one for regular rotation in my kitchen :-)
Thank you!
Wonderful! So happy you both loved it!
Lisa, I absolutely love your pesto recipe. I make it when family comes over. They love it. Its always requested. Just made the pesto chicken salad. Omitted mayo, I don’t like it. Tastes great!!! Thanks again for the wonderful recipes.
Hi Liz – Happy to hear you loved this pesto chicken salad!
SO. GOOD. It’s now an official part of the lunch rotation 😍
Woot! Love to hear that. Thanks, Sara!
This sounds delightful! We love pesto (and your pesto recipe!!!!!) Any suggestions for a celery replacement? I’m the only one in the family who likes celery!
Hi Bre – You could try using radish or zucchini!
Can you substitute almonds for pine nuts?
Yes, you can do that.
As always, this recipe is just perfect and delicious. Really like how the pine nuts compliment or strengthen the pesto flavor. Love it! And it’s quick and easy to make so double win 😀.
Thanks so much, Niki! Gotta love a quick salad recipe that’s also super flavorful. Enjoy!
Just made this for the first time and it’s delicious!! It’s my new summer favourite.
Happy to hear you enjoyed this delicious pesto version, Beatrice :)
Very delicious and super easy to make. I would only add 1/4 tsp salt next time as a bit too salty for my liking but otherwise really good!
Glad you enjoyed this pesto chicken salad, Libby!
Oh boy , heaven on earth. love the dressing, what a brilliant idea thank you!
Glad you’re loving this pesto chicken salad! Fresh pesto is always best :)
Love this recipe, it was easy to make. I removed the celery for personal preference but if you’re up for it go ahead. I’ll totally make it part of my regular menu.
Glad you found a new addition to your regular menu!
So so good! Highly recommend this recipe :)
Happy to hear you’re loving this version of chicken salad Katy!
This Pesto chicken salad is so good and super easy to make! It tasted SO refreshing…I also love the crunch the celery adds. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Glad you enjoyed this pesto chicken salad Alex!