Pesto Chicken Salad

Name: Pesto Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 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

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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 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

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.

More low carb recipes

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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

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

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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

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Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and the pesto.
Add the chicken, bacon, avocado, and tomatoes and toss to mix.
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

Keywords: chicken salad recipes, pesto chicken salad, keto chicken salad, whole30 chicken salad, paleo chicken salad

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

Comments

Did you try this recipe? Leave a review! Cancel reply

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!

★★★★★

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.

★★★★★

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?

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. ????

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!

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. ????

- 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?
  
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!!!

- 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.