Parsley Pesto Chicken Salad with Pine Nuts
Elevate your chicken salad game with this vibrant Parsley Pesto Chicken Salad with Pine Nuts, a fresh and zesty twist on a classic favorite. Bursting with bold flavors, the star of this recipe is a homemade parsley pesto, made with fresh herbs, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of lemon for brightness. Tender shredded chicken is tossed with crunchy celery and sweet red onion, then coated in the rich, herbaceous pesto for a truly satisfying bite. Finished with a garnish of toasted pine nuts for added texture, this salad is as versatile as it is delicious—serve it chilled on its own, over crisp greens, or stuffed into a wrap for an easy yet elegant meal. Perfect for meal prep or a quick lunch, this recipe brings together wholesome ingredients in just 25 minutes.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup packed Fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup packed Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 cups Cooked shredded chicken
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 0.25 cup Red onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons Pine nuts (for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Toast 0.25 cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Step 2
In a food processor, combine parsley, basil, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped celery, and diced red onion.
Step 4
Add the parsley pesto to the bowl and mix thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated with the pesto.
Step 5
Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Step 6
Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 7
Before serving, garnish with an additional 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts for added crunch and flavor.
Step 8
Serve chilled on its own, over a bed of greens, or as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1113.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2686.7 |
| Total Fat 179.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 31.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 22.1g | |
| Cholesterol 628.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2151.9mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 21.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 6.4g | |
| Protein 241.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 489.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2978.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories