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    Home ยป Recipes

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad

    Published: Mar 13, 2014 ยท Updated: Aug 9, 2019 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad is a flavorful chicken salad that's great to keep in the fridge for a light lunch or high protein snack

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    I am so excited that the weather is starting to warm up and that it's almost spring! You seriously have no idea.

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    One of my favorite things to keep in my fridge during springtime and the summer is some type of chicken salad.

    I usually make chicken salad with cottage cheese or avocado because I'm not a huge fan of mayo or using yogurt in place of mayo. I mean, mayo and yogurt do not taste the same, so I think regular chicken salad tastes wrong when you replace the mayo with yogurt.

    Anywho, I decided to make a version of chicken salad using yogurt. I love the tanginess of the yogurt mixed with the poached chicken, tomatoes, basil, and onion.

    After making the chicken salad, I turned around and made the yogurt dressing again and used it for my salads. It's also a wonderful marinade for chicken. This gem of a recipe is multi-purpose and who doesn't love that?!

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    I honestly couldn't decide if I should give y'all the recipe for the dressing or for the chicken salad. So you're getting both. You have to make the dressing to make the chicken salad.

    To make the chicken salad, you'll poach the chicken. Start with 1.5 pounds of chicken which will give you just about 1 pound of cooked chicken. {I weighed it before and after to make sure}. You can also just use 1 pound of cooked and shredded chicken {it's about 4 cups}.

    While the chicken is cooling, make the Creamy Balsamic Basil Dressing. Just add all the ingredients to a food processor, blend together, and you're done. Simple as that. Try not to taste it because you will probably want to get out a spoon and just eat it from the bowl. It's that good.

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    Shred the cooked chicken, add in some chopped cherry tomatoes, and minced onion. Then pour the incredibly tasty dressing on top and voila! You have yourself a perfect, flavorful chicken salad. You can put it in a pita pocket, on some toast, in a lettuce wrap, serve with crackers, or just eat straight from the bowl with a fork which is typically what I do ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad

    Usher in springtime with this flavorful chicken salad. It's great to keep in the fridge for a light lunch or high protein snack
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Meme

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • โ…” cup minced onion {about ยฝ medium onion}
    • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved {about 1 pint}

    For the dressing:

    • ยพ cup plain yogurt
    • 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ยฝ cup fresh basil
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ยฝ teaspoon salt
    • ยผ teaspoon pepper
    • โ…› teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Instructions

    • Add the chicken to a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, and cook until chicken is done {about 20-25 minutes}. Remove from water, and set aside to cool.*
    • Once cool, shred the chicken and put into a non reactive bowl {plastic or glass, not metal}. Stir in the onion and tomatoes.
    • Meanwhile, add all the ingredients for the dressing into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Add extra basil, balsamic vinegar, or salt if desired.
    • Transfer most of the dressing to the chicken & veggies. Toss until completely coated. Add extra dressing if needed.
    • Let sit for about 30 minutes before eating. Keep refrigerated.

    Notes

    *You can use 1 pound {about 4 cups} cooked and shredded chicken.
    *Use regular plain yogurt or Greek plain yogurt. The Greek yogurt will make the dressing thicker, so add a tablespoon or so of water if needed.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    Mini Food Processor
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    [showhide type="post" more_text="Click here for Nutrition Facts" less_text="Clear Nutrition Facts"]
    *

    Nutrition Facts
    Basil Balsamic Chicken Salad
    Serving Size
     
    0.5 cup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    129
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    3
    g
    5
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    57
    mg
    19
    %
    Sodium
     
    261
    mg
    11
    %
    Potassium
     
    462
    mg
    13
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    5
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    19
    g
    38
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    321
    IU
    6
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    11
    mg
    13
    %
    Calcium
     
    43
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *
    [/showhide]

    What to use in this recipe:


    Meme

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    Comments

    1. Deanna Rose Segrave-Daly says

      March 16, 2014 at 5:07 pm

      I love a good chicken salad and with the warmer weather coming, I'll be making this!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        March 17, 2014 at 4:17 pm

        Thanks Deanna! I always have it in my fridge for an easy snack or light lunch

        Reply
    2. Heide M. says

      March 19, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      Thanks for posting this recipe.

      Reply
      • Meme says

        March 19, 2014 at 10:03 pm

        Enjoy ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    3. Brenda says

      March 30, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      I'm loving all these chicken salad recipes that don't include mayonnaise! I am going to try this one next but am trying your Avacado Chicken Salad tonight!

      Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
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