Hey there, friends! I’m really excited to share this Quick and Easy Pesto Chicken Salad recipe with you today. It comes together in about 15 minutes and is just so refreshing! This no-cook wonder is the perfect weeknight dinner your family will love. Seriously, it’s so versatile you can switch up the ingredients based on what you have at home or even use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal. It’s great for those busy evenings when you want something delicious and nutritious without a ton of fuss!
Ingredient Breakdown
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delicious, creamy salad. Feel free to be flexible with the amounts, this recipe doesn’t mind a little creativity!
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded: You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook chicken breasts, whatever works for you.
- 1/2 cup pesto: Store-bought is totally fine, but homemade could be a delightful touch if you have some time.
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise: This gives the salad a creamy texture! I usually go with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist, but you do you!
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved: The pop of color and sweetness is beautiful in this salad!
- 1/2 cup diced cucumbers: For that refreshing crunch!
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped: Adds a nice bite to the dish.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Always a couple pinches to elevate the flavors!
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish: Optional, but they add some lovely flair to the presentation.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Chicken (2 minutes): In a large bowl, toss together the shredded chicken with the pesto until the chicken is evenly coated, this should take about a minute. The smell of the pesto mixing in is heavenly!
Add Creamy Goodness (3 minutes): Now, stir in your choice of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise and mix until completely combined. Trust me; you’ll want to taste it at this point, it’s creamy and aromatic!
Mix in Fresh Ingredients (3 minutes): Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, and red onion. Gently fold everything together; you want the colors to blend without smashing anything, it should look vibrant and gorgeous!
Season Everything (1 minute): Finally, season with a couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste. Give it another light toss.
Serve it Up (1 minute): You can serve this salad over a bed of fresh greens or in a sandwich. Don’t forget to garnish with a few fresh basil leaves for that extra touch!
And just like that, you’ve got yourself an amazing Pesto Chicken Salad that’s loaded with flavor.
Why I Love This Recipe
This really is my go-to recipe when I need something quick yet comforting. There’s something about the combination of pesto and chicken that just hits home, it’s like a warm hug on a plate! Plus, I’m a real sucker for dishes that you can customize with whatever ingredients you’ve got on hand. The best part is, you can whip this up in no time, and it’s always a hit with my kids. They ask for seconds, which, as a busy single mom, feels like winning the dinner lottery!
If you loved this Pesto Chicken Salad, be sure to check out my Fresh Brussels Sprout Salad, my Burger Bowls, or my Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Quick and Easy Pesto Chicken Salad comes together in under 15 minutes! Seriously, you can have dinner ready before you can finish a quick episode of your favorite show.
Customizable
You can really use whatever you have on hand! Love bell peppers? Throw those in. No cucumbers? That’s cool zucchini works, too. The possibilities are endless, and it feels good knowing you can mix it up!
Comfort Food
It’s loaded with tons of flavor and feels like comfort food in salad form. The creamy base, tangy pesto, and fresh veggies make every bite delightful.
Great for Meal Prep
This salad keeps well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep. Whip up a big batch on Sunday, and you’ve got quick lunches all week long!
Family Favorite
Your whole family will love this. I mean, who doesn’t love chicken salad? This one’s so delicious and still healthy enough to feel great about serving it!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Salad
Serve it over fresh greens for a light dinner or in a whole-grain wrap for a delicious sandwich. It pairs wonderfully with crispy potato chips or a fresh fruit salad. I love serving it with some lightly toasted bread too!
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Just know that the cucumbers may soften a bit, but the flavors will meld beautifully!
Reheating Instructions
You don’t actually need to reheat it, this salad is best served cold! Just give it a good stir before serving again.
Is It Freezer Friendly?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this salad, because of the creamy base and fresh veggies, the texture upon thawing wouldn’t be the same. Just enjoy it fresh!
That’s it for my Quick and Easy Pesto Chicken Salad recipe! The next time you’re in a dinner dilemma, give this a whirl. As always, I’d love to hear how yours turns out, so feel free to drop a comment below. Happy cooking, and enjoy the time spent in your kitchen! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Print
Quick and Easy Pesto Chicken Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Mixed
Description
A refreshing and customizable pesto chicken salad that comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumbers
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the shredded chicken with the pesto until evenly coated (about 1 minute).
- Stir in Greek yogurt or mayonnaise and mix until fully combined (about 3 minutes).
- Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, and red onion. Fold together gently to keep the vegetables vibrant (about 3 minutes).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and give it another light toss (about 1 minute).
- Serve over fresh greens or in a sandwich, garnishing with basil leaves (about 1 minute).
Notes
You can customize this salad with whatever ingredients you have on hand. It keeps well in the fridge for 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
