Pesto Chicken Salad

By on May 23, 2009
Pesto Chicken Salad ©Diane Ebiln

Pesto Chicken Salad ©Diane Eblin

Today was a beautiful day outside and just begged for everyone to go out and play.  So, we did.  My thoughtful husband suggested we take a ride in my convertible VW Bug and have a picnic at a state park.  He chose one about 45 minutes away that took us through the beautiful winding roads in the Virginia countryside.  It was  wonderful.  But, what I had on the menu was not going to work so plan B.  Having leftover chicken drumsticks that I had cooked in the crockpot the other night and pesto from my Pesto Shrimp on Polenta Portobellos was a good start.  I gathered up some ingredients and created this really tasty salad.  I also made a Tuna Salad and Egg Salad, and cut up fresh pineapple for dessert, packed the picnic basket and off we went.  This was a gluten free and dairy free dinner.  It was a wonderful excursion and I’m so happy we went.

Ingredients:

5 chicken drumstick legs (meat picked and rough chop)
2-3 green onions, sliced
1/2 orange pepper, diced
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 -3/4 cup pesto (leftover from shrimp on polenta portobellos)
1/4- 1/2 cup white wine

Directions:

In a mixing bowl whisk together the pesto and wine until it’s the consistency of a salad dressing but not too thin.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and pack it up to go!

How easy is that.  It was a big hit as was the rest of the meal and dessert.

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2 Responses to Pesto Chicken Salad

  1. gfe--gluten free eas May 25, 2009 at 7:52 am #

    A convertible VW bug? How cool!!! The picnic and the salads sound terrific, too. That's exactly how I make my chicken salad–with whatever I have on hand, and chicken, of course. LOL A little Dijon mustard has been a favorite ingredient of late.
    Love that Virginia countryside! I took a ton of photos all along the way on our trip to the mountains. They all came out really well. It was such gorgeous weather.
    Shirley

  2. Diane Eblin May 28, 2009 at 7:11 am #

    Shirley- I know, I'm so spoiled. We keep asking if we can write the car off as a medical expense, it helps me get my Vitamin D. Lets hope we get more of that great weather. Can't wait to see your photos. Silly me forgot my camera. I don't go anywhere without my camera.