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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Published: Jun 1, 2021 · Last Updated: Jun 13, 2022 by Kyndra Holley

    Pesto Chicken Salad

    This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 3 reviews
    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto
    lettuce wraps with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto
    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto
    lettuce wraps with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto
    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto
    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto

    This fresh and light Pesto Chicken Salad is the perfect quick and easy lunch recipe. Made with tender chicken breast, smoky bacon, herbaceous pesto, creamy mayo, juicy tomatoes and buttery avocado. Best of all, it's made with just 6 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

    Table of Contents show
    Ingredients in Pesto Chicken Salad
    Ingredients Notes
    Step by Step Instructions
    How to make pesto chicken salad
    More keto salad recipes
    Recipe Tips and Variations
    Frequently Asked Questions
    More low carb recipes
    Sign Up For Our Newsletter
    Pesto Chicken Salad

    Ingredients in Pesto Chicken Salad

    Ingredients for pesto chicken salad - chicken, bacon, avocado, tomato, mayonnaise, pesto

    Ingredients Notes

    • Chicken - For this Pesto Chicken Salad recipe, I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You could also use thighs. For an even quicker option, you can use rotisserie chicken. (Try my Dill Chicken Salad Recipe)
    • Bacon - The crispy bacon in this recipe gives a nice crunchy, smoky element. You could also use crispy pancetta or prosciutto. (I get my bacon here)
    • Pesto - The pesto is the star of the show in this recipe. It is herbaceous and garlicky and makes this dish shine. (Try my Classic Basil Pesto Recipe)
    • Mayo - I used my homemade avocado oil mayonnaise for this keto chicken salad and it was the perfect creamy element. It is also delicious with ranch dressing.

    Step by Step Instructions

    mixing bowl with mayonnaise, mixed with fresh pesto

    How to make pesto chicken salad

    STEP 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and the pesto.

    mixing bowl with chopped chicken, avocados, tomatoes, bacon, pesto, and mayo

    STEP 2: Add the chicken, bacon, avocado, and tomatoes and toss to mix.

    More keto salad recipes

    • Reuben Chopped Salad
    • Antipasto Salad
    • Grilled Corn Salad
    • Prosciutto Peach and Melon Salad
    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto

    Recipe Tips and Variations

    • Storage: Store the leftover pesto chicken salad in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Use rotisserie chicken: Making this with rotisserie chicken will save you time and makes for quick and easy meal prep. (more low carb chicken recipes)
    • Add ranch dressing: Swap out the mayo for my Dairy Free Ranch Dressing recipe. It really takes the flavor up a notch.
    • Sun-dried tomatoes: Swap out the grape tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes.
    • Add olives: This is delicious with kalamata olives added.
    • Cheese it up: Add parmesan, sharp cheddar, feta, goat cheese, or any of your favorite cheeses.
    • Make a sandwich: This is awesome on my Keto Everything Buns as a sandwich, or wrapped in a low carb tortilla.
    • Add red onion: Add a little spice with some chopped red onion. Better yet, add some of my Pickled Red Onions.
    lettuce wraps with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is pesto dairy free?

    Traditionally, pesto is made with Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino, but it is easy to find dairy free pesto in stores. Better yet, make your own! Fresh is best.

    How can I make this pesto chicken salad Whole30 compliant?

    Easy! Just make sure that you are using a whole30 compliant mayo and pesto.

    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto

    More low carb recipes

    • a bowl of paleo coleslaw with broccoli slaw, cucumber, mayo, red onion, dill, garlic, salt and pepper.
      Cucumber Dill Broccoli Slaw
    • a salad piled high with grilled hot dogs, pickles, red onion, peppers, tomatoes, and a mustard dressing.
      Chicago Dog Salad
    • fish taco bowls with seasoned cod, olives, jalapenos, peppers, tomatoes, lime, cilantro, and cauliflower rice.
      Fish Taco Bowls
    • reuben chopped salad in a white ceramic bowl - romaine, corned beef, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.
      Reuben Chopped Salad
    lettuce wraps with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto

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    REVIEW AND FOLLOW: Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and ⭐️ rating below. If you make our recipes and share them, be sure to use our hashtag #peaceloveandlowcarb on social! We love seeing what you are making. FOLLOW us on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for more delicious recipes.

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    ceramic bowl with pesto chicken salad - pesto, chicken, tomato, avocado, mayo, and pesto

    Pesto Chicken Salad


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Kyndra Holley
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: Makes 4 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This fresh and light Pesto Chicken Salad is the perfect quick and easy lunch recipe. Made with tender chicken breast, smoky bacon, herbaceous pesto, creamy mayo, juicy tomatoes and buttery avocado. Best of all, it's made with just 6 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise (get my recipe here)
    • 2 tablespoons garlic pesto
    • 1 pound chicken, cooked and cubed (I get my organic, pastured chicken here)
    • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
    • 1 medium avocado, cubed
    • 10 grape tomatoes, halved
    • fresh butter lettuce leaves, optional for serving

    Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and the pesto. 
    2. Add the chicken, bacon, avocado, and tomatoes and toss to mix.
    3. Eat just as is, or pile on top of fresh lettuce leaves.

    Notes

    • Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Add ranch dressing: Swap out the mayo for my Dairy Free Ranch Dressing recipe. It really takes the flavor up a notch
    • Use rotisserie chicken: Making this with rotisserie chicken will save you time and makes for quick and easy meal prep. 
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Salad Recipes
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 376
    • Fat: 27g
    • Carbohydrates: 3g net
    • Protein: 27g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @kyndraholley on Instagram and hashtag it #peaceloveandlowcarb

    **Recipe Originally Posted March 8th 2015 - Updated June 1st 2021**

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Barb says

      April 05, 2025 at 7:45 pm

      This is amazing!!! Hubby and I ate the entire thing in one sitting. I added some red onions. Ate as is. I did air fry chicken breast. The mayo is amazing.

      Reply
    2. Cindy Weishuhn says

      July 26, 2021 at 10:47 am

      This recipe is amazing! The whole family loved it and the boys all wanted some to take to work the next day! It was a hit!

      Reply
    3. Janice Keebler says

      June 01, 2021 at 9:21 pm

      This is so delicious. I have already had it 3 times in the last week. I took your suggestion and I have been wrapping it up in a low carb tortilla. So satisfying.

      Reply
    4. Tanasha says

      May 27, 2019 at 10:45 am

      Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Would you be able to share where you found the metal bowl used in the picture you took of the dish?

      Reply
    5. Drema Morris says

      July 11, 2017 at 9:49 am

      I just made this minus the avocado ( because I didn't have any avocado atm) and it is delicious. I may have used a bit less pesto and mayo as I only had 7 ounces of chicken cooked but wow so yummy and good. ????

      Reply
    6. Bill says

      November 27, 2016 at 5:32 pm

      That recipe looks delicious! I can't wait to make it this week. By the way I had no errors when I hit the follow button. Thank you for the great recipe, keep em' coming!

      Reply
    7. Vicky Ivy says

      April 04, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      I don't know why, but every time I press the 'follow' button, it say there is a problem. I have reloaded Pinterest several times an tried again, but it just will NOT let me follow you. I have done it in my Android phone, my HP comp, my Acer, and my Dell. I am giving you this feed back because you are worthy of following. Your recipes are good, you give Cals, Protein, Fat & Carb info AND you give good information. Just an FYI, it may be a Pinterest glitch you might need to call about. Just saying. Hope you become 'followable' soon. Thank you for recipes. ????

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        April 05, 2016 at 10:02 am

        Hmmmm. This is the first I have heard of it. I just clicked the Pinterest follow buttons on my site and did not see an issue. Where on my site is the issue occurring for you?

        Reply
    8. Dee Dee says

      March 09, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      YOU ROCK! I miss your beautiful face! I know you're so busy but......it's way past time for Picatta!!!

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        March 09, 2015 at 4:31 pm

        Love you Auntie! Hopefully we can get together for dinner when we get back from France.

        Reply

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    About Kyndra


    Kyndra
    Hey there! Welcome to my site! I am Kyndra Holley - International Best Selling Cookbook Author, and the face behind this blog. I am an avid lover of all things low carb, keto and gluten free. I focus on real, whole food ingredients that you can find at your local grocer. Read more about Peace Love and Low Carb...

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