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**Healthy Pesto Chicken Salad with Rotisserie Chicken** Hey there, friends! I just made this **Healthy Pesto Chicken Salad** and I had to share it with you all because it's such a game-changer. It’s fresh, delicious, and perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Plus, it’s made using rotisserie chicken, so it’s super convenient. If you’re someone who loves flavorful, easy-to-make salads, you’re going to love this one! ### Why You’ll Love This Recipe? This salad has everything you need – tender, juicy chicken, the perfect amount of basil pesto for that fresh kick, and a blend of crunchy veggies. It’s packed with protein, low on carbs, and has that perfect balance of flavors to keep you coming back for more. Plus, it's incredibly quick to whip up, especially with the rotisserie chicken doing most of the work. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed! ### Ingredients You'll find the full list of ingredients below, but here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll need: - Rotisserie chicken (shredded) - Fresh basil pesto - Cherry tomatoes - Cucumbers - Red onion - Fresh arugula or mixed greens - Feta cheese (optional) - Pine nuts or sunflower seeds for a crunchy topping Now, keep reading for the full ingredient list below! ### Directions #### Step 1: Shred the Chicken Start by shredding the rotisserie chicken. You’ll need about 2 cups of chicken, but feel free to adjust based on how much salad you want to make. If you're using leftover chicken, even better! This is a great way to repurpose your leftovers into something new. #### Step 2: Prepare the Veggies While the chicken is cooling down, grab your cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Slice the tomatoes and cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. For the red onion, I love to slice it thinly to avoid any overpowering flavor, but it’s totally up to you. Set these aside for now. #### Step 3: Mix the Salad Base In a large salad bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, fresh arugula (or mixed greens), and the veggies you’ve prepared. Make sure it’s all evenly mixed so you get a nice bite of everything in every forkful. #### Step 4: Add the Pesto Now, grab that delicious basil pesto! Add about 3–4 tablespoons to your chicken and veggie mixture. Stir everything together until the pesto coats all the ingredients. You can always add more pesto to taste. If you like a creamier consistency, feel free to add a bit of olive oil or a spoonful of Greek yogurt to make it richer. #### Step 5: Add Some Crunch and Creaminess This step is optional, but I like to sprinkle a handful of pine nuts or sunflower seeds for an extra crunch. You can also add crumbled feta cheese if you’re in the mood for some creaminess. #### Step 6: Serve Once everything is mixed, give it a final taste test. If it needs a little more salt, pepper, or pesto, go ahead and adjust. Serve immediately, and enjoy the fresh, flavorful goodness! ### Expert Tips and Tricks - **Rotisserie Chicken**: If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, you can easily substitute with any leftover cooked chicken or even grilled chicken breasts. Just make sure it’s shredded for the best texture. - **Pesto**: Homemade pesto is always a winner, but store-bought pesto is perfect if you need something quick. Just make sure to choose a good-quality pesto to really elevate the flavor. - **Veggie Variations**: Feel free to swap out the veggies depending on what you have on hand. Zucchini, bell peppers, or even avocado would all be delicious additions to this salad. ### Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions - **Dairy-Free Version**: Skip the feta cheese or use a dairy-free alternative to keep this salad dairy-free. - **Nuts and Seeds**: If you have a nut allergy, you can leave out the pine nuts and substitute them with sunflower seeds or even crispy chickpeas for crunch. - **Low-Carb Version**: Skip the arugula and serve this as a chicken pesto bowl over cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal. - **Herb Substitutes**: No basil? No problem! You can swap in spinach, kale, or even arugula to create a unique twist. ### Serving and Pairing Suggestions This Healthy Pesto Chicken Salad is great on its own, but it can also be paired with: - A side of crispy roasted sweet potatoes - Fresh bread (or gluten-free bread) for a hearty meal - A light vinaigrette or lemon wedge for extra zing It’s the kind of salad that can easily be turned into a full meal or served as a refreshing side dish for any occasion. ### Storage and Reheating Tips If you have leftovers (lucky you!), you can store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. However, keep in mind that the arugula or greens may wilt after a day or so. For best results, store the pesto separately from the veggies and chicken if you want to keep everything fresh. Reheating the salad isn’t necessary since it’s a cold dish, but if you prefer it warm, you can microwave the chicken and pesto for 30–45 seconds before adding it to your salad. ### 4 FAQs #### 1. Can I use a different type of chicken? Absolutely! If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, you can use grilled chicken, leftover cooked chicken, or even poached chicken breasts. #### 2. Can I make this salad in advance? Yes, this salad is great for meal prep! Just keep the pesto separate from the salad base to avoid wilting, and toss everything together when you're ready to eat. #### 3. What kind of pesto should I use? You can use any kind of pesto you like—store-bought, homemade, or even a dairy-free version! The flavor of the pesto really makes this salad, so go with what you love. #### 4. Can I make this salad without greens? Definitely! You can skip the greens and make this more of a chicken and veggie bowl. Add more cucumber, tomatoes, or even roasted veggies instead! ### Conclusion This Healthy Pesto Chicken Salad with Rotisserie Chicken is the perfect combination of fresh ingredients, savory pesto, and tender chicken. It’s easy to make, customizable to your tastes, and can be enjoyed as a light meal or a hearty snack. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become one of your go-to recipes for quick and healthy meals!

Healthy Pesto Chicken Salad with Rotisserie Chicken

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: None (if using pre-cooked chicken)
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: No-cook, Salad assembly
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, American

Description

This refreshing and protein-packed salad is made using rotisserie chicken, fresh basil pesto, and crunchy veggies. It’s the perfect quick lunch or light dinner, offering a delicious balance of flavors with minimal prep time.

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (or any leftover chicken)
  • 3–4 tablespoons fresh basil pesto
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup cucumbers, sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups fresh arugula or mixed greens
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts or sunflower seeds (optional for crunch)

Instructions

  1. Shred the Chicken: Shred 2 cups of rotisserie chicken. Adjust based on desired salad size.
  2. Prepare the Veggies: Slice cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Set aside.
  3. Mix the Salad Base: Toss together shredded chicken, arugula (or mixed greens), and prepared veggies in a large bowl.
  4. Add the Pesto: Stir in 3–4 tablespoons of fresh basil pesto, adding more to taste. Optionally, add olive oil or Greek yogurt for a creamier consistency.
  5. Add Crunch and Creaminess: Optionally, sprinkle pine nuts or sunflower seeds and crumbled feta cheese.
  6. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Rotisserie Chicken: If rotisserie chicken is unavailable, use grilled, poached, or leftover chicken.
  • Pesto: Store-bought or homemade pesto can be used, depending on availability.
  • Veggie Variations: Customize with other veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or avocado.
  • Make Ahead: Keep pesto separate when prepping in advance to prevent wilting.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Find it online: https://www.recipecoo.com/healthy-pesto-chicken-salad-with-rotisserie-chicken/