Basil adds a delicious twist to classic chicken salad! This lemon basil chicken salad makes the perfect summer lunch, or anytime you need a meal ready in about 5 minutes!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time0 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Ingredients
3cupsshredded cooked chicken, use all white meat or mostly white meat
½cupmayonnaise
2tablespoonsfresh basil leaves, finely chopped
1 ½tablespoonspecans, finely chopped (see notes)
2teaspoonsfreshly squeezed lemon juice, or more, to taste
1teaspoonsalt, or to taste
1dashpepper
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chicken (mayo, basil, pecans, lemon juice, salt, and pepper). Mix well.
Add the cooked chicken and use two forks to mix everything together while shredding the chicken further.
For the best flavor, refrigerate for a few hours before serving to allow flavors to mingle. See notes below for optional add-ins and serving suggestions.
Notes
Serving ideas: sandwiches (open faced, croissants), wraps, lettuce wraps, spread on crackers, spread on veggies like pepper slices and cucumber slices, over salad.Other tasty add-in ideas: fresh diced scallions or chives, dried cranberries, cooked chickpeas, finely diced celery for crunch, halved seedless grapes.Pecan alternatives: sliced almonds, chopped peanuts, toasted sunflowers (for a nut-free chicken salad).