Easy Pesto Chicken Salad Recipe (Great for Wraps!)

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This easy pesto chicken salad recipe is one of the easiest chicken salad recipes you can make! High-protein, simple ingredients, and full of fresh pesto flavor. Make it in under 5 minutes for an easy and healthy meal prep lunch.

pesto chicken salad in a round glass bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Pesto Chicken Salad Recipe

Here are the top 7 reasons you need to make this flavorful chicken salad:

  1. Only 3 simple and fresh ingredients!
  2. Use rotisserie, canned, or cooked chicken, and either pre-made or dairy-free fresh pesto.
  3. Easy lunch recipe or quick dinner you can make in just 5 minutes!
  4. No food processor is needed!
  5. Full of protein, low carb, and keto-friendly.
  6. Not your everyday chicken salad – Creamy and full of fresh flavors!
  7. You can eat this chicken salad in different ways! Wraps, salads, on bread, or on its own!

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

ingredients for this pesto chicken salad recipe.
  • Pesto: You can make homemade pesto with lots of basil or buy a store-bought pesto from the grocery store.
  • Chicken: I like using store-bought rotisserie chicken because it is super easy (just like in our healthy cranberry chicken salad.) Grilled chicken, chicken thighs, or canned chicken is also a great option.
  • Plain Greek yogurt: plain Greek yogurt brings the dish together and is healthier than mayo or sour cream. Substitute creamy avocado for a dairy-free option.

How to Make This Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad

Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.

bowl of pesto chicken salad on a white background.
  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix and serve in a wrap, lettuce cups, on toast or a croissant, or to top leafy greens like arugula, kale, or romaine. Top with sea salt if desired.

Expert Tips

  • Make ahead: Meal prep this rotisserie chicken salad and make ahead for a week full of lunches.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Serving: Enjoy this ultimate chicken salad for lunch or dinner in wraps or lettuce wraps, on croissants, on top of salad greens, romaine lettuce, or toast, or even stirred into pasta for a cold pesto pasta salad.
  • Consider add-ins like chopped cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper, chopped green onion, or a squeeze of lemon juice for additional flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What goes well with pesto?

Chicken, potatoes, pasta, and pesto salmon are my favorite ways to use up pesto.

What is pesto made of?

Basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and simple seasoning make up the traditional recipe. To make a vegan pesto you can swap out parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast. For a less expensive version, use walnuts instead of pine nuts.

pesto chicken salad in wraps with basil on top.

Simple Pesto Chicken Salad – 3-Ingredients!

Only 3 ingredients in this healthy no mayo high protein pesto chicken salad! Rotisserie chicken, pesto, and Greek yogurt and you can make this quick and easy recipe in under 5 minutes. Use in a wrap, on a croissant, on a sandwich or a salad.
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 352kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken
  • ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 6 oz pesto

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together and serve in a wrap, on toast or a croissant or on top of lettuce like arugula, kale or romaine.
    2 cups rotisserie chicken, ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt, 6 oz pesto

Notes

  • Make ahead: Meal prep this recipe and make ahead for a week’s full of lunches.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

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