Pesto Chicken Salad with Red Grapes

Brighten up your lunch routine with this flavorful Pesto Chicken Salad with Red Grapes, a refreshing twist on a classic dish. Tender shredded chicken is paired with the sweetness of juicy red grapes and the crunch of diced celery, all brought together with a creamy basil pesto dressing made from scratch. This quick and easy recipe combines the bold, nutty flavors of fresh basil, Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts with the creaminess of mayonnaise and a touch of zesty lemon juice for a perfectly balanced bite. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile chicken salad is perfect for wraps, sandwiches, or served atop crisp salad greens. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or serving up an impressive lunch, this pesto chicken salad is sure to become a new favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups Cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tablespoons Pine nuts (toasted)
• 1 clove Garlic clove
• 0.33 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.33 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 cup Red grapes (halved)
• 0.5 cup Celery (diced)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the pesto by combining basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and the garlic clove in a food processor. Pulse until combined.

Step 2

2. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Set the pesto aside.

Step 3

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, halved red grapes, and diced celery.

Step 4

4. In a small bowl, mix together the prepared pesto, mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to create the dressing.

Step 5

5. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is coated evenly.

Step 6

6. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 7

7. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.

Step 8

8. Serve as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or on a bed of lettuce for a light, refreshing meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1238.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2945.3

Total Fat 190.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 733.6mg	0%
Sodium 2892.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 53.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.8g	0%
Total Sugars 26.0g
Protein 244.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 843.6mg	0%
Iron 10.1mg	0%
Potassium 2677.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.0%

Protein: 33.7%

Carbs: 7.3%