Today I have a simple and easy lunch or dinner recipe for you. It is Friday after all, may as well take it easy! And it’s so yummy that after eating it Cate declared I was the best cook in the world. (I think her dad must be paying her to always say such nice things about me.)
We used to have a CPK ASAP near our house and they served a pesto chicken salad sandwich that I loved. Loved so much, in fact, it was one of the few things I could eat when I was pregnant. Well, the CPK ASAP is gone and with it my sandwich.
I’ve taken matters into my own hands. While I haven’t yet tried my hand at the yummy pizza bread that they used, I have nailed the pesto chicken salad aspect of the sandwich. I made it for the first time last night and it was so easy and so yummy. Definitely will be making it again…and again…and again!
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup basil pesto
- salt to taste, based on saltiness of your pesto
- 1 heart of romaine lettuce, chopped
- Cook the chicken breasts however you like (I boiled mine until cooked through – it’s easy and you’re just going to mix it with sauce). Shred chicken and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with a bit of salt.
- Mix together mayonnaise and pesto. Add half of this mixture to the chicken and mix well. Add the other half of the mixture to your chopped romaine lettuce. I like to mix them separately so that if we have leftover chicken we don’t have lettuce that will go wilted and yucky mixed in – the next day I can throw together a little sauce and lettuce. Make sense? Serve on your favorite bread.
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
I always forget about Chicken Salad Sandwiches. These look awesome, Jane!
I kind of forget about them, too…and then I make it and it’s always so yummy! need to remember it more often!
I love the in-house costco chicken salad, and often add some pesto to it for a quick lunch. Such a perfect combination!
might have to give the costco salad a try!
This is trouble. It looks awesome!!! Pesto is my best friend. I never thought to pair it with chicken in a sandwich! YUM
you’ll love it marie….especially with pesto being your best friend and all 🙂
This sounds amazing. I am going to make it just as soon as my household gets over the stomach flu.
hope you guys all get better soon!!!!
What a great idea! I always buy pesto and only use a little, then end up with a jar sitting in my fridge. Now I know what to do with it! 🙂
Chicken salad is one of those blank canvas type recipes that you can add so many different flavor combinations to. I make a southwest version with half mayo, half sour cream, cumin, cayenne, red bell pepper, green onion, and cilantro. Wrapped up in a tortilla and you have a new spin on chicken salad. I’ve never tried it with pesto but that sounds GREAT too!
Great chicken salad. Like your idea of mixing the chicken and the romaine separately.
this chicken salad sounds fantastic!
Great minds think alike. I made chicken salad today. My oldest also said it was delicious. This pesto idea sounds great! My quick tip, I LOVE having the canned Costco chicken breast chunks on hand for things like this (& taquitos & enchiladas &…) Even though boiling is quite fast and my standard technique for recipes like this, the can cuts out that time and makes one less pot and cutting board to wash!
I’m going to try this. Might also sprinkle a few nuts in the chicken.
These do look great! Do you have a favorite pesto you can recommend? I’ve only ever had so-so luck buying at the store. Thanks! 🙂
Kirkland brand at Costco is the only store bought pesto I like.
my aunt barbara also loves the costco pesto, I believe. honestly, I always just grab whatever is available at whatever store I’m at…I need to pay more attention! 🙂
Yum! So easy, definitely putting this in the dinner rotation next week!
Moved it up because couldn’t wait and needed something fast yesterday….substituted what we had on hand: rotisserie chicken, and mixed greens instead of romaine. Served on baguette. YUM!!!
I am not familiar with using pesto, do you make your own or buy the basil pesto???
I made this for my husband and kids today and it was pretty good. My only two cents would be if you’re going to use a store-bought pesto, which I did, don’t add the extra salt. Store-bought pestos usually have enough salt and adding more makes it a bit too salty tasting.
good tip – I added that into the actual recipe. with the pesto I use I definitely have to use salt or it’s super bland, so didn’t really think about that!
How many servings do you think this would make? We are making them for my nieces 1st birthday. Yummy!
okay, I just made this…let’s see, I fed the four of us for dinner and we had leftovers – probably enough for 6 full size sandwiches. I feel like if I was doing it for a party, I would probably double or triple the recipe to four or six chicken breasts and then serve them on smaller rolls so there are tons of sandwiches. geesh, I hope my estimates are good – let me know how it goes! 🙂
Thanks for getting back to me so quick! We are going to the grocery store this morning to pick up all our goodies for the party, so perfect timing! We are so looking forward to trying this, I will definitely keep you updated! I think we are going to use mini croissants, yummy! Have a great day!
We made the sandwiches for the party today! We four times the recipe and got around 25-30 mini croissant sandwiches. Everyone loved them and was asking for the recipe! Thanks for sharing this great sammy!
I love this recipe! I found it on Pinterst ages ago and make it about once a month (more in summer). It is quick, easy, light and delicious! I thought it was time to leave you a comment letting you know. Thanks!!
awww, thanks! that makes me so happy!
Made this tonight after having the CPK version at the airport in Dallas. This was exactly the same as CPK. My four year old and I didn’t even plate it. We just ate it straight off the cutting board!
yay! so glad you liked the recipe and it lived up to your expectations! 🙂