Fresh Pesto Chicken Salad
A quick and easy chicken salad featuring fresh pesto, crispy mixed greens, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a light lunch or casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (280g) cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 cups (120g) mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, kale), washed and dried
- 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup (40g) red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: shred or chop cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups). Let come to room temperature if refrigerated.
- Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, greens, tomatoes, and onions. Add pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Just before serving, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the salad. Toss gently if desired or reserve some for garnish.
Notes
If pesto is thick, thin with a teaspoon of olive oil or lemon juice before mixing. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising greens. Best served immediately for crisp texture but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours. Store pesto and Parmesan separately if prepping ahead. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Freshly grated Parmesan preferred over pre-shredded for better flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the salad (ab
- Calories: 350400
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: pesto chicken salad, fresh pesto salad, chicken salad recipe, easy chicken salad, healthy lunch, quick salad, Parmesan chicken salad