This super simple pesto chicken salad is perfect for easy lunches and the whole family will love it! It’s Whole30 and low carb, paleo and dairy free, and great over a salad, in lettuce wraps or on my paleo sandwich bread.
If you’re like me you can never have too many quick go to lunches! And chicken salad is always a favorite for me and my whole family.
In fact, whenever I make a new chicken salad recipe it’s typically gone before I’ve gotten to really enjoy it.
My older daughter eats it right out of the bowl, and my other kids put it on toast.
I love it on a salad or in a lettuce wrap – but really you can’t go wrong with how you serve chicken salad, right?
What You Need to Make this Pesto Chicken Salad
The chicken salad is made up of shredded chicken, a homemade paleo pesto, and paleo mayo.
Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare the chicken salad:
Basil Pesto:
- fresh basil leaves, packed
- pine nuts
- fresh garlic
- nutritional yeast (for flavor)
- avocado oil or olive oil
- fresh lemon juice
- sea salt
Chicken Salad:
- cooked and shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken)
- homemade mayo, or store bought paleo mayo (I like Sir Kensingtons avocado oil mayo)
- Pesto (see above)
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
How to Make this Pesto Chicken Salad
This chicken salad couldn’t be easier to prepare! I like using a rotisserie chicken to cut down on time, but you can always use any cooked chicken you have on hand.
Prepare the pesto first. In the bowl of a small food processor, place the basil, pine nuts, garlic and nutritional yeast.
Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, then add the oil and lemon juice and pulse or blend until you get a paste – no need to completely puree, it shouldn’t be totally smooth.
Taste and add sea salt as desired.
Place the shredded chicken, all the pesto, and the mayo in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Taste the chicken salad and add salt and pepper as desired, to taste.
What to Serve with Pesto Chicken Salad
Like I said earlier, you can’t go wrong with how you serve it! I love it over over a salad, with cherry tomatoes, lots of greens, some olives and a sprinkle of extra pine nuts.
You can also do lettuce wraps for another low carb option.
The If you want a real sandwich, serve it on my paleo sandwich bread or hamburger buns.
If you have leftovers, you can save them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
I hope you’re ready for this simple and delicious chicken salad!
Grab your food processor and all your ingredients because it’s time for lunch – let’s go!
Pesto Chicken Salad {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}
Pesto Chicken Salad {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}
Ingredients
Basil Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast for flavor
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Chicken Salad:
- 2 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken I used a rotisserie chicken
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons homemade mayo or store bought paleo mayo (I like Sir Kensingtons)
- Pesto see above
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Prepare the pesto first. In the bowl of a small food processor, place the basil, pine nuts, garlic and nutritional yeast. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, then add the oil and lemon juice and pulse or blend until you get a paste - no need to completely puree, it shouldn’t be totally smooth. Taste and add sea salt as desired.
-
Place the shredded chicken, all the pesto, and the mayo in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Taste the chicken salad and add salt and pepper as desired, to taste. Serve over a salad, in lettuce wraps, on on my paleo sandwich bread or hamburger buns. Enjoy!
Perfect timing! I have some leftover Pesto I made for stuffed avocado salad a few nights ago, and tonight I need an easy summer dinner recipe–you brought it right to my inbox! Thank you for making my life easier and healthier!
I know the fresh pesto is much better but I have some store bought I need to use. Once it’s made is it a half cup or what? The recipe looks like it makes a lot so wasn’t sure how much to use of the store bought.
I will definitely be trying the homemade next time.
That`s exactly what I need right now. Thank you for such useful and well-timed post!
I enjoy cooking and am constantly seeking for new ideas to incorporate into my food. Your dish also seems wonderful
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