Best Chicken Pesto Salad Recipes

CREAMY PESTO PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN, ASPARAGUS AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl; keep chilled until ready to toss with salad. (Store in clean jar with lid.)
• Bring 1 gallon of water and 2 Tbs. of salt to boil in a large soup kettle. Add pasta and, using package times as a guide, boil, stirring frequently and adding asparagus the last 1 minute, until just tender. Drain thoroughly (do not rinse) and dump onto a large, lipped cookie sheet. Set aside to cool while preparing remaining salad ingredients.
• Place all salad ingredients (except buttermilk dressing) in a large bowl or transfer to a gallon-size zippered bag. (Can be covered and refrigerated several hours at this point.) When ready to serve, add dressing; toss to coat and serve.

LEMON-GARLIC-HERB CHICKEN WITH GRILLED PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS AND PESTO 3 BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
• Fill a small skillet with about 1-inch water and bring to a boil.
• Grate the garlic onto acutting board and add a couple teaspoons salt, mash into paste with the flat of your knife.
• Add salt to boiling water and cook green beans 1 minute then drain and cool under cold running water then reserve.
• Reserve 1/5 of the pasted garlic, about 1 clove and add the rest to a shallow dish. To the garlic, add the lemon zest, fennel seed, chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley and about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil and some black pepper. Stir with a fork to combine then add chicken pieces and coat evenly. Grill chicken 12 to 15 minutes until juices run clear.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
• Trim asparagus of tough ends. Add salt and the asparagus to the water and blanch for 2 minutes. Remove from the water and place into an ice water bath to cool. Once cooled, pat dry with paper towels, drizzle with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the asparagus into 4 piles and roll 2 layered slices of prosciutto around each pile to form bundles. Grill 7 to 8 minutes until prosciutto is crisp and spears are tender.
• Place basil and mint leaves in a food processor with the nuts. Add some salt and pepper and turn processor on. Stream in about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil to form a thick pasty sauce. Transfer the sauce to a bowl. Stir in the reserved garlic paste and the grated cheese. Add the cooled green beans and the canned beans to the bowl and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning.
• Remove chicken from the grill and squeeze the juice of 1 of the zested lemons down over the meat while still hot.
• Serve 1 piece each chicken breast and thigh with an asparagus bundle and some bean salad alongside.

LEMON-GARLIC-HERB CHICKEN WITH GRILLED PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS AND PESTO 3 BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Fill a small skillet with about 1-inch water and bring to a boil. Grate the garlic onto acutting board and add a couple teaspoons salt, mash into paste with the flat of your knife. Add salt to boiling water and cook green beans 1 minute then drain and cool under cold running water then reserve. Reserve 1/5 of the pasted garlic, about 1 clove and add the rest to a shallow dish. To the garlic, add the lemon zest, fennel seed, chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley and about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil and some black pepper. Stir with a fork to combine then add chicken pieces and coat evenly. Grill chicken 12 to 15 minutes until juices run clear. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Trim asparagus of tough ends. Add salt and the asparagus to the water and blanch for 2 minutes. Remove from the water and place into an ice water bath to cool. Once cooled, pat dry with paper towels, drizzle with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the asparagus into 4 piles and roll 2 layered slices of prosciutto around each pile to form bundles. Grill 7 to 8 minutes until prosciutto is crisp and spears are tender. Place basil and mint leaves in a food processor with the nuts. Add some salt and pepper and turn processor on. Stream in about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil to form a thick pasty sauce. Transfer the sauce to a bowl. Stir in the reserved garlic paste and the grated cheese. Add the cooled green beans and the canned beans to the bowl and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning. Remove chicken from the grill and squeeze the juice of 1 of the zested lemons down over the meat while still hot. Serve 1 piece each chicken breast and thigh with an asparagus bundle and some bean salad alongside.

CHICKEN GREEK-A-TIKKA SALAD WITH PARSLEY-FETA PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Heat a toaster oven or oven to 250 degrees F.
• Wrap breads in foil and place in oven to warm.
• Combine yogurt and next 4 ingredients. Coat chicken in mixture then thread meat onto metal skewers. Brush grill pan with oil and grill meat 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
• Combine chopped lettuce, chopped veggies, olives and hot peppers on a large platter or in a serving bowl. Dress the salad very lightly in lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil and salt and pepper.
• Place all ingredients for pesto in the food processor except extra-virgin olive oil. Turn processor on and stream in extra-virgin olive oil.
• Remove bread from oven and cut into wedges.
• Place grilled meat on salad and top liberally with pesto. Place cut flat breads or pita wedges around the platter or serving bowl and serve.

LAYERED TORTELLINI PESTO CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook tortellini as directed on package, adding peas during last 4 minutes of cook time. Drain; rinse immediately with cold water. Pat with paper towels to remove moisture.
• In 3- or 4-quart clear bowl, layer the lettuce, the carrots, chicken, peas, the tortellini, and bell pepper.
• In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto and buttermilk. Spread over peppers; sprinkle with parsley. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled or overnight. Stir just before serving.

CREAMY PESTO & CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, mix the red pepper with the cherry tomatoes and chicken. Mix the pesto and crème fraîche. Drain the pasta, then stir it through. Toss through the veg and chicken and eat immediately, or pack into a container for lunch.

BLACK BEAN-CHICKEN SALAD WITH CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO DRESSING

Steps:

• Prepare Creamy Cilantro Pesto Dressing. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium- high heat. Cook chicken in oil 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center. Toss chicken, chili powder and garlic salt; set aside.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain. Mix pasta, chicken, dressing, tomato and beans.

GARDEN PASTA AND PESTO CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package; drain. Rinse with cold water. Place in large bowl.
• Add all remaining ingredients except tomatoes; mix lightly. Sprinkle with the tomatoes; cover.
• Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

ITALIAN CHICKEN-PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente (do not overcook the pasta; drain in a colander then rinse well under cold water.
• Drain the pasta well in the colander.
• Place the pasta in a large bowl then toss with 2-3 tablespoons oil.
• Add in chopped tomatoes and cooked cubed chicken; toss to coat.
• For the dressing; in a processor puree the prepared pesto with the spinach and lemon juice.
• Add in the mayonnaise and pulse until blended.
• Add the mayo mixture to the pasta mixture; toss to combine.
• Mix in the Parmesan cheese then season with salt and pepper.

CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES WITH WALNUT-DILL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the onion, lemon juice, sugar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Put the dill, walnuts and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture comes together, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed. Transfer the dill pesto to a large bowl and stir in the lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat.
• Drain the onion and squeeze dry. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the lettuce and tomatoes among 4 pieces of bread; top each with some chicken salad, onion and another piece of bread. Serve with chips.

CHICKEN GREEK-A-TIKKA SALAD WITH PARSLEY-FETA PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Heat a toaster oven or oven to 250°F.
• In a bowl, combine the yogurt, coriander, cumin, oregano, and the grill seasoning. Coat the chicken in the mixture, then thread the meat onto metal skewers. Brush the grill pan with oil and grill the meat for 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
• Combine the chopped veggies, olives, and hot peppers on a large platter or in a serving bowl. Dress the salad very lightly in lemon juice, EVOO, and salt and pepper.
• Place all ingredients for the pesto in the food processor except the EVOO. Turn the processor on and stream in EVOO until all is incorporated.
• Place the grilled meat on the salad and top liberally with the pesto, streaming it back and forth over the salad and the meat.

CHICKEN, CHICKPEA, AND PESTO SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together chicken, cucumber, celery, and chickpeas. Add Basic Basil Pesto and a squeeze of lemon. Season with salt and pepper.

PESTO TORTELLINI CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook tortellini according to package directions, adding peas during the last 4-5 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water., In a large glass bowl, layer romaine, carrots, chicken, tortellini and peas, and red pepper. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto and buttermilk. Spread over top. Sprinkle with parsley. Refrigerate until chilled.

PESTO CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Put the couscous in a large heatproof bowl and cover with 100ml boiling water. Stir in 1 tbsp pesto. Cover and leave for 8 mins.
• Fluff the couscous with a fork, then stir in the rest of the pesto, the yogurt and some seasoning. Toss in the chicken, basil, cucumber and tomatoes.
• Spoon the couscous mix into the lettuce leaves and eat with your fingers, or serve over the lettuce like a salad. Scatter over the pine nuts and more basil before serving.

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl whisk together pesto, vinegar and 1/4 T salt and pinch of pepper. Gradually whisk in oil until smooth.
• Cook the orzo add 2T salt in cooking.
• Drain and rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Add orzo to vinigarete and toss.
• Add chicken, and tomatoes and toss.
• Tastes best chilled- though it's fine warm.

PESTO CHICKEN SALAD WITH RED GRAPES

Steps:

• Pasta and Chicken:.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat; add salt, then the penne. When the water returns to a boil, stir occasionally to separate the penne. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or according to package instructions, until the pasta is al dente. Drain well, rinse with cool water, and drain again.
• While the pasta is cooking, poach the chicken. Pour water into a medium saute pan, to a level about 1 1/2 inches deep (when it is added, the chicken should be covered by about 1/2 inch water). Stir in the salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the chicken; reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through.
• With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the skillet. Cut it into 1-inch pieces and place on a plate to cool. Discard the poaching liquid.
• Basil Pesto:.
• Process all the ingredients in a food processor (or blender) until the mixture is a coarse puree. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• The pesto will keep for up to 1 week in a covered container in the refrigerator; pour a thin film of olive oil on top of the pesto to prevent discoloration. For longer storage, spoon the mixture into a foil-lined custard cup, cover tightly with foil and freeze. Once frozen, remove the foil-wrapped packet and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or remove from the foil and thaw quickly in the microwave.
• Creamy Pesto Dressing:.
• Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• In a medium bowl toss together the pasta, chicken, carrots and grapes. Add the dressing and toss again. Place lettuce on plate and scoop the chicken mixture on top, and garnish as you wish.
• The dressing will keep for up to 2 days in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. (If it thickens after standing, thin with milk or water.) This salad can be made early the day it is to be served; refrigerate and serve later, either chilled or at room temperature.
• ***Variation***.
• Substitute other pasta shapes, such as rotini or rotelle.
• Rather than poaching the chicken breasts try grilling them.

CHICKEN GREEK-A-TIKKA SALAD WITH PARSLEY-FETA PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat grill pan to high heat (I actually use the charcoal grill outside instead).
• Heat oven or toaster oven to 250 degrees.
• Wrap Pita bread in foil and place in oven to warm.
• Combine yogurt and next four ingredients. Coat chicken in mixture (I use a large ziplock for this part).
• Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
• Combine lettuce, chopped veggies, olives, and hot peppers in a large serving bowl.
• Dress salad lightly with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Place remaining ingredients (for pesto) in food processor (except for olive oil).
• Turn processor on, and stream in olive oil.
• remove bread from oven and cut into wedges.
• Place grilled meat on top and dress liberally with pesto.Place pita wedges around the edges.

TORTELLINI, CHICKEN AND PESTO SALAD

Steps:

• Preparation: 1) You may want to skip this step. I have found that I like to dry my cherry tomatoes a bit by placing them in a low heat oven-250 or so-for around an hour or more until the moisture is reduced. If the tomatoes are good this will concentrate their flavor and reduce the moisture. After the tomatoes are done you can toast the walnuts at 350. They should be done in ten minutes or so. Watch them closely. They should have a nice light crunch. 2) The next step is to blanch the green beans. I multi-task and use the same pot that I will boil the pasta. You will want them to still retain some crunch. I usually find this is about 4 minutes. Run them under cold water and set them aside so that they can dry off. I often toss them in a freezer while I am cooking the pasta. 3) Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but pull back a bit at the end. The pasta has to cool down and it will soften more as the salad mellows. 4) While the pasta is cooking prepare the chicken into small bite size chunks. 5) Mix the vegetables, chicken and pasta together. Mix the pesto and the mayonaise and lightly stir in the pasta mixture. Add the nuts. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more pesto and mayonnaise as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Best served within 24 hours.

PESTO CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir in chicken, celery and walnuts.
• Spread 1/2°C of salad onto each of 10 bread slices. Top each serving with about 2 tablespoons bell pepper, 1 lettuce leaf, and one bread slice.

CHICKEN, BROCCOLI & BEETROOT SALAD WITH AVOCADO PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add the broccoli and cook for 2 mins. Drain, then refresh under cold water. Heat a griddle pan, toss the broccoli in 1⁄2 tsp of the rapeseed oil and griddle for 2-3 mins, turning, until a little charred. Set aside to cool. Brush the chicken with the remaining oil and season. Griddle for 3-4 mins each side or until cooked through. Leave to cool, then slice or shred into chunky pieces.
• Next, make the pesto. Pick the leaves from the basil and set aside a handful to top the salad. Put the rest in the small bowl of a food processor. Scoop the flesh from the avocado and add to the food processor with the garlic, walnuts, oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2-3 tbsp cold water and some seasoning. Blitz until smooth, then transfer to a small serving dish. Pour the remaining lemon juice over the sliced onions and leave for a few mins.
• Pile the watercress onto a large platter. Toss through the broccoli and onion, along with the lemon juice they were soaked in. Top with the beetroot, but don't mix it in, and the chicken. Scatter over the reserved basil leaves, the lemon zest and nigella seeds, then serve with the avocado pesto.