Protein Chicken Pesto Salad Recipe
This Protein Chicken Pesto Salad Recipe lets you look effortlessly healthy while pretending you didn’t just Google “quick lunch ideas.”
It tastes fresh, feels fancy, and works like self-care you can eat.
You toss everything together fast and act like you’ve mastered balanced living.
Protein Chicken Pesto Salad Recipe
A bright, herby, protein-rich vegan chicken pesto salad made with plant-based chicken, dairy-free pesto, crisp veggies, and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
For Salad
- 1 cup vegan chicken strips
- 1 cup lettuce chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup cucumber diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion thin slices
For Vegan Pesto
- ¼ cup basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts or cashews
- 1 small garlic clove
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat pan.
- Add vegan chicken.
- Sear lightly.
- Remove from heat.
- Add basil to blender.
- Add nutritional yeast.
- Add lemon juice.
- Add olive oil.
- Add nuts.
- Add garlic.
- Add salt.
- Add pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add lettuce to bowl.
- Add tomatoes.
- Add cucumber.
- Add onions.
- Add cooked vegan chicken.
- Pour pesto generously.
- Toss until everything glistens.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
Calories: 310Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 21g
Vitamins & Minerals (Per Serving)
Iron: 10%Calcium: 5%
Vitamin A: 12%
Vitamin C: 10%
Magnesium: 7%
Additional Notes / Tips
- Add avocado for extra creaminess.
- Swap basil with spinach for a cheaper pesto.
- Chill the salad if you prefer a colder, crisp texture.
