Basil Chicken Salad Recipe

This refreshing Basil Chicken Salad recipe, inspired by the 3 Fat Chicks, is a summer hit! Perfect for a light lunch or a delightful patio dinner, this recipe is quick, easy, and bursting with fresh basil and juicy chicken. Impress your family and friends with this vibrant and flavorful salad – get ready for rave reviews!

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Calories 161.5 kcal
Protein 44g
Rating 4.6 (8 Reviews)
Basil Chicken Salad 18

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

Ingredients for Basil Chicken Salad

  • Fat Free Mayonnaise
  • Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Hot Sauce
  • White Pepper
  • Cooked Chicken Breasts
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • Green Onion
  • Fresh Basil
  • Fresh Spinach
  • 6 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

How to Make Basil Chicken Salad

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced), 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil.
  3. Gently fold in the mayonnaise mixture until evenly distributed throughout the chicken mixture.
  4. Place 1 cup of baby spinach on each of 6 salad plates.
  5. Spoon the chicken salad evenly over the spinach on each plate.
  6. Sprinkle each serving generously with 1 tablespoon of toasted pine nuts.

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Want to unlock deeper, more complex flavors? Try toasting your whole spices before grinding them, or blooming ground spices in a little warm oil to enhance their aroma. Deglazing your pan with a bit of stock, wine, or even water after browning ingredients can capture those tasty caramelized bits, adding richness to your dish.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

9 g

Sugar

6g

Fat

8g

Carbs

1g