Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad

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October 25, 2026

Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad – paleo recipe

SERVES: 2 | PREP TIME: 5 minutes

Ingredients

⅓ cup (75 ml) 30-Second Mayo (see here)

3 tablespoons (45 ml) Pistachio Pesto (see here)

1½ cups (200 grams) shredded leftover Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chicken (see here)

¼ cup (30 grams) minced red onion

coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

avocado slices, for serving

tomato slices, for serving

Process

In a bowl, mix together the mayo and pistachio pesto. Add the chicken and red onion and season with salt and pepper. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken with the mayo. Serve the chicken salad with avocado and tomato slices.

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Creamy pesto chicken salad folds shredded roast chicken through a tangy mayo and pistachio pesto dressing, with minced red onion for bite. It is a five-minute lunch that tastes like the good deli counter and sits beautifully beside avocado and tomato slices. Two servings, one bowl, no cooking.

Pro Tips

  • Shred the chicken while it is still slightly warm so it drinks in the dressing instead of sitting dry at the center.
  • Make your own Pistachio Pesto and 30-Second Mayo here - the pesto's nuttiness is the entire point of the salad.
  • Mince the red onion very fine so its bite lands in every forkful without overpowering the pesto.
  • Chill the salad 20 minutes before serving if you can wait; the texture firms and the flavors settle together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes - any cooked chicken works, though leftover Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chicken is what this recipe is built around and gives the best flavor.

How long does the salad keep?

Two days covered in the refrigerator. Stir before serving, as the mayo releases a little liquid as it sits.

Is there a nut-free version?

Swap the pistachio pesto for a basil-and-seed pesto; the dressing stays creamy and the salad keeps its character.

Recipe Card

Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad – paleo recipe
Stav Kogan

Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • ⅓ cup (75 ml) 30-Second Mayo (see here)
  • 3 tbsp Pistachio Pesto (see here)
  • ¼ cup (30 grams) minced red onion

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, mix together the mayo and pistachio pesto.
  2. Add the chicken and red onion and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken with the mayo.
  4. Serve the chicken salad with avocado and tomato slices.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 32gFat: 44g

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