Make your next salad tasty and low-carb with this delicious Easy Keto Chicken Salad with Pesto Sauce Recipe (without keto pasta)! This salad is a great way to stick to your keto diet while enjoying a delicious meal. Try it today and see why it’s a hit among keto eaters!
Ultra-easy keto pesto chicken salad recipe, made with loads of flavor, goodness, and pesto sauce. This easy-peasy delicious pesto chicken salad is full of flavor, nutrients, and vitamins! Perfect for basil pesto fans like me.
Only 7g net carbs per portion.
Watch me make this recipe in my quick video – it’s like cooking together in the kitchen!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 6.55 oz Chicken breast (you can use rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken instead)
- 1/2 cup Homemade Pesto sauce (make your own pesto sauce. It tastes much better)
- 2 cups Iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup Spring onions
- 1 cup Bell Peppers
- 1 cup Cucumbers
- 1 cup Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are best)
You can check my keto pesto recipe here!
Instructions
Chicken Pesto Recipe
- Preheat a frying pan and add the olive oil.
- Add the chicken breasts and fry it for 2 to 3 minutes, until it’s slightly white.
- Add the fresh pesto sauce and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked – 5 to 7 minutes.
- Leave on the side.
Keto Salad Recipe
- Rinse the vegetables in cold water.
- Cut all the rest of the ingredients – lettuce leaves, peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, spring onions.
- Arrange them in a large bowl as per your desire.
- Optional: you can add salt, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar if desired.
Assembly of the Keto Chicken Pesto Salad
- Arrange the pesto chicken on top of the vegetables.
- Decorate with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!
Tips for Best Results
- You can use any lettuce you like.
- You can use brown or white onions instead of spring onions, but the carbs will increase.
- I’m using red peppers. You can use green peppers if you want to reduce the carbs.
- You can use the chicken pesto with any other vegetables to create your own salad recipe. Or, why not cut some cauliflower and broccoli, and roast them in the oven?
- You can add any fresh herbs you like.
Pair this fresh chicken pesto salad with Keto Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Cottage Cheese Bread for a balanced, protein-packed meal!
FAQ
Q: Can I use store-bought pesto sauce?
A: Yes, you can use store-bought pesto sauce. Just make sure to check the ingredients list for any non-keto-friendly items.
Q: How can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: For meal prep, you can cook the chicken and prepare the salad ingredients in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Q: What can I use instead of pine nuts in the pesto sauce?
A: You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds in your pesto sauce.
Q: Can I add lemon juice to the salad?
A: Yes, a splash of lemon juice can add a refreshing tang to your salad.
Q: Is parmesan cheese necessary for the pesto sauce?
A: Parmesan cheese adds a rich flavor to the pesto sauce, but you can skip it if you prefer a dairy-free option.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Q: How can I serve this salad in a different way?
A: You can serve this salad in lettuce wraps or low carb tortillas for a fun twist.
Q: Can I use mozzarella cheese instead of parmesan?
A: Yes, fresh mozzarella can be a great substitute for parmesan cheese in this recipe.
Q: What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy this salad?
A: I love enjoying this salad as a quick meal or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
Q: Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
A: Yes, this is one of my favorite easy keto meal recipes for meal prep. It stays fresh and delicious.
Q: How do I ensure the chicken is juicy?
A: Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s juicy and fully cooked.
Q: Can I use an air fryer to cook the chicken?
A: Yes, you can use an air fryer to cook the chicken. It’s a quick and easy method.
Q: What makes this the ultimate chicken salad?
A: The combination of juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful pesto sauce makes this the ultimate chicken salad.
Q: Can I add broccoli florets to the salad?
A: Yes, adding broccoli florets can give the salad extra crunch and nutrients.
Q: Can I add creamy mayo to the salad?
A: Yes, adding a bit of creamy mayo can enhance the texture and flavor of the salad.
Q: Can I use low carb tortillas instead of lettuce?
A: Yes, low carb tortillas are a great option for wrapping this salad.
Q: Is this recipe suitable for the whole family?
A: Yes, this recipe is a great option for the whole family to enjoy.
Q: How do I check the internal temperature of the chicken?
A: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Q: How can I make this a quick meal?
A: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for a quick meal.
Q: What type of salad greens should I use?
A: You can use any salad greens you like, such as iceberg lettuce or mixed greens.
Q: Can I use red onion instead of spring onions?
A: Yes, red onion can be used, but it will add more carbs to the salad.
Q: Can I use avocado oil instead of olive oil?
A: Yes, avocado oil is a great alternative to olive oil.
Q: How should I store the salad?
A: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes, chicken thighs can be used for a juicier option.
Q: Are there any other great options for serving this salad?
A: Yes, you can serve this salad in lettuce wraps, low-carb tortillas, or as a side dish.
Q: Can I add nutritional yeast to the salad?
A: Yes, nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
More Keto Recipes To Try
Keto Dinner Recipes
- One Skillet Keto Chicken Liver and Onion Recipe
- Keto Mediterranean Cod With Walnut Crust
- Keto Mediterranean Chicken Dinner Recipe
More Keto Dessert Recipes
Keto Chicken Salad with Pesto Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil Extra virgin
- 6.55 oz Chicken breast
- 1/2 cup Pesto sauce
- 2 cups Iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup Spring onions
- 1 cup Bell Peppers
- 1 cup Cucumbers
- 1 cup Tomatos
Instructions
Chicken Pesto Recipe
- Preheat a frying pan and add the olive oil.
- Add the chicken breasts and fry it for 2 to 3 minutes, until it’s slightly white.
- Add the fresh pesto sauce and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked – 5 to 7 minutes.
- Leave on the side.
Keto Salad Recipe
- Rinse the vegetables in cold water.
- Cut all the rest of the ingredients – lettuce leaves, peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, spring onions.
- Arrange them in a large bowl as per your desire.
- Optional: you can add salt, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar if desired.
Assembly of the Keto Chicken Pesto Salad
- Arrange the pesto chicken on top of the vegetables.
- Decorate with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!
Great recipe 👌