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A bowl of Pesto Chicken and Avocado Salad.
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5 from 1 vote

Pesto Chicken and Avocado Salad

Using a nut-free Spinach-Basil Pesto, this Pesto Chicken and Avocado Salad is a tasty way to get all of your greens in! It also stores incredibly well for multiple meals throughout the week.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 bowls
Calories: 365kcal
Author: Shani W.

Equipment

  • Chef's Knife
  • Small Mixing Bowl with lid, for marinating chicken
  • Deli Container for soaking the red onion
  • Salad Spinner
  • Skillet or air fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 24 ounces chicken breasts
  • 2 ½ tablespoons spinach-basil pesto
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose seasoning
  • ½ tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 3 cups fresh kale chopped
  • 4 ounces grape tomatoes
  • ½ count red onion
  • 2 count avocados
  • ¾ cup goat cheese
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Trim your chicken breasts of any fat.
  • Add the chicken, spinach-basil pesto, all-purpose seasoning, and dijon mustard to a large bowl or Ziploc bag.
  • Mix everything around until the chicken is completely covered in pesto and seasonings; marinate (covered) in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  • While the chicken is marinating, chop your greens and wash/dry them using a salad spinner.
    Season them with a bit of black pepper if preferred.
  • Slice grape tomatoes in half, and season with a pinch of salt.
  • Slice the red onion into rings or chop them into small cuts. Add to a deli container and cover with cold water.
    This helps create a milder raw onion flavor - perfect for eating raw on salads or burgers.
  • Store all of your prepared fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, in separate containers, until the protein is ready.
  • Fully cook your marinated chicken using a skillet or air fryer.
    Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing into it.
  • In a bowl, assemble your salad with the lettuce mix, pesto chicken, tomatoes, and onions. 
    Slice half of an avocado for each bowl and add to the salad.  Top with the goat cheese.
  • Either toss with your favorite dressing or leave it on the side. I recommend my High Protein Ranch Dressing, whipped with just a little more pesto for pizzaz.
  • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

Assembly Notes:
This recipe is an easy meal prep idea for lunch or dinner.  Simply prepare all of your ingredients and store them separately to avoid certain vegetables getting soggy. 
I normally cut my avocado the same day to prevent browning.  Assemble everything for a 2-minute meal during the week!

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 473mg | Potassium: 814mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2554IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 3mg