๐Ÿฅ„ Homestyle recipes, tested & loved
๐Ÿฅ˜Recipes by Nani
Lunch

Easy Pesto Chicken Salad

A fresh and flavorful chicken salad tossed in a creamy, herb packed pesto dressing.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Americanยท July 20, 2026
Easy Pesto Chicken Salad
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
10 minutes
Serves
4

This is one of my favorite go to recipes when I need a quick lunch that still feels special. The combination of tender chicken and bright pesto is always a hit with my family because it is so satisfying without being too heavy.

My best tip is to use rotisserie chicken if you are in a rush. It saves a lot of time and makes this meal come together in just a few minutes, which is perfect for busy weekdays.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
  • 1/3 cup prepared basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup jarred roasted red peppers, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, roasted red peppers, and diced red onion.

  2. 2

    In a separate small bowl, whisk together the basil pesto and mayonnaise until smooth.

  3. 3

    Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

  4. 4

    Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper as needed.

  5. 5

    Sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves before serving.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

You can serve this salad inside lettuce wraps for a low carb option or on top of toasted sourdough bread for a hearty sandwich. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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