When I was in college there was a Wolfgang Puck Express on our campus. Why Wolfgang Puck ever thought that the success of his famous, high-end cuisine meant he should open a quick service concept in a university cafeteria is beyond me, but that’s another story. At this particular eatery, all the food was terrible except for one very popular item: the pesto chicken sandwiches. It was chicken salad unlike any I’d ever encountered: big chunks of chicken tossed together with a nutty, garlicky pesto, then piled high on ciabatta. So. good.
Since then, pesto chicken salad has become my favorite version of chicken salad. Forget the heavy, mayonnaise-y version — this stuff is way better, and just as versatile. You can eat it on ciabatta, like I did in college, or even spread it on little crostini for an appetizer. In the summer, Joe and I like to make a big salad and top off the greens with a big scoop of pesto chicken. Add a few slices of heirloom tomato on the side, and it’s heaven.
Pesto chicken salad is insanely easy to make, and there are two ways to go about it. 
The no-fuss, I-have-no-time-to-cook way: buy some pre-made pesto and a rotisserie chicken from the market. Shred the chicken, mix with pesto. You’re done.
However, I’m a big fan of my own pesto, which I can make more garlicky (and okay, more cheesy too). Plus, this time of year, I can’t walk by all the basil in the store without wanting to take some home! Here’s my own recipe:
Looks so good and I love that it’s so easy!
oh this is absolutely good! I must try soon!
Yum! I may try this tonight with let over chicken from last nights dinner.
This looks so delicious! I love making homemade pesto, particularly because, like you said, I can make it as cheesy as I want!
-Alyssa
The Glossy Life
YUM!
Yum, I love pesto! This looks so good! x
Kate {Modette}
http://modetteblog.com
I am obsessed with quick and easy recipes in the warmer months. I will FOR SURE be trying this one!
This is just a perfect find. Pesto is certainly one of my favorites and it would be quite interesting to mix it up with chicken to create a salad. Thank you for sharing this post. I am definitely having this for dinner!