Easy 3 Ingredient Chicken Pesto Salad. A simple, healthy and flavorful twist on a traditional classic. 1 bowl, 3 ingredients and 10 minutes is all that's required!
Today I am bringing one of my favorite "real life recipes" to the blog. If you have been reading for any amount of time you know that "real life" is code for so easy that I feel a little guilty to even call it a recipe. You know, the kind of recipe that you make when you have 1,874,368 things to do but realize that there are people depending on you for food.
As I sit typing this post I am preparing for our trip to Naples, FL later this evening. In addition to packing a portable Easter, EVERYONE"s everything and planning entertainment (thank goodness for the Dollar Store), I have also made it my goal to keep a semi-regular blogging schedule while we are on vacation... shooting for 2 posts. You guys.. I'm going to level with you, I am a procrastinator. So today.. I photographed and edited 4 recipes. If you're not a blogger let me tell you... that's a LOT! For this reason I kept this recipe SUPER SIMPLE. Like 3 ingredients, 1 bowl and 10 minutes simple. Added perk? It's portable! Bottom line.. Joe will be enjoying these sandwiches all down I75 (think breakfast, lunch and dinner☺️). But hey.. I seriously doubt that he will be complaining!
I love this chicken salad because it's So. Much. Healthier. than traditional chicken salad. Some of you good people are not familiar with this type of "food bewitchery." You have chosen to be a part of team "chicken salad with mayo" (ok.. that team seriously needs a better name?) and right now you are looking at the tiny flecks of herbs in that chicken salad and you're tempted to click that little red x in the corner of your screen and run for the hills, or at least towards a recipe that is a little more traditional.
Be rational.
I get that this isn't your everyday chicken salad, but you guys... It. Is. Delicious. It's green, fresh, healthy food made into a garlicky, herby pesto sauce that is tossed with perfectly seasoned chicken. Buuuuttt let's be honest, none of that really matters. I had you at "3 ingredients" ?.
Time Saving Tips and Tricks:
Prep: This recipe is so simple that prep is pretty unnecessary unless you want to use homemade pesto (domestic diva points for you!). If you feel like channeling your inner Martha Stewart the pesto portion of this recipe can definitely be made ahead of time. When you are ready for chicken salad, simply mix the pesto with shredded chicken and greek yogurt and you're done!
Make Ahead: This recipe is fantastic as a make ahead recipe. The oil in the pesto ensures that the chicken salad doesn't dry out. Just prepare according to recipe directions and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can even preassemble sandwiches with desired toppings (I used avocado, tomato and lettuce) and wrap each one individually. Perfect grab and go lunch.
Freezer: This chicken salad is freezer friendly as well. Freeze in an airtight ziplock bag that is labeled and dated. Thaw by allowing it to hang out in the refrigerator overnight.
Print📖 Recipe
3 Ingredient Chicken Pesto Salad
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 lb. chicken salad 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- salt/pepper
- 1 jar basil pesto
- 1 scoop of plain greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove chicken from packaging, pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Cooke for 25-35 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center. Use 2 forks to shred chicken. Place shredded chicken into a bowl.
- Add 1 jar of pesto (~1 cup) and a scoop of plain greek yogurt to the shredded chicken. Stir to combine.
- Serve on toasted bread with desired toppings (we like tomato, avocado and lettuce)
Helpful Hints:
- If you don't have time (or just don't want) to bake the chicken breasts you can purchase a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Organic is always recommended when available.
- Pesto always tastes better when it is homemade. However, I am nothing if not practical and there isn't always time. When you purchase store-bought pesto make sure to check the ingredients. Everything should be recognizable. I tend to find healthier versions of pesto in the refrigerator section as opposed to the pasta aisle.
- Want to make your own pesto? Here is a link to my favorite recipe from Ina Garten.
Let's Connect:
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As always, if you try out this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #simplysissom Instagram or Twitter . I’d love to see what you come up with?
Other Clean Eating Lunch Recipes You Might Like:
Thai Chopped Chicken Salad:
Buffalo Chicken Salad Sliders:
Healthy Chicken Salad:
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