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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Recipe Information
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)
Instructions
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.
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.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped celery, and diced red onion.
Add the parsley pesto to the bowl and mix thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated with the pesto.
Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, garnish with an additional 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts for added crunch and flavor.
Serve chilled on its own, over a bed of greens, or as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
647 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.0 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.5 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 151 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 493 mg | 21% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5.3 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 57.7 g | 115% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 126 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 716 mg | 15% | |
*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.
