Chicken Salad with Basil

This low-carb Chicken Salad with Basil also has grated Parmesan, and this is one of the first salads I think of when basil plants show up in the stores! 

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This Chicken Salad with Basil is something you should make as soon as you see those basil plants showing up in the grocery store, and then keep making it all summer, and through the years I’ve decided you just can’t put too much chopped basil in this salad.

I’m a huge fan of fresh basil, and I’ve been growing basil in my garden and freezing the basil for many years now! So of course I’m excited when basil season gets started every year, and I want to remind you about this basil-loaded chicken salad recipe that’s one of my summer favorites.

And yes, I used the word SUMMER, but please don’t hesitate to make this tasty chicken salad any time you have chicken and fresh basil on hand! If you’re not growing basil and have to buy it in the grocery store you can certainly get away with using less in this recipe. But please try it if you’re a fan of these flavors. I could eat this over and over all summer long!

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

• diced cooked chicken, or see notes below to cook the chicken
• mayo
• buttermilk
• green onion
• fresh basil leaves
• coarsely grated Parmesan Cheese
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

How to make this salad:

(Scroll down for complete recipe including nutritional information.)

1. You can make the salad with leftover rotisserie chicken, but if you’re starting from scratch, trim the chicken breasts and cut into thirds lengthwise. I used a mixture of canned chicken broth and water to cook the chicken, combined with 2 teaspoons of Italian Herb Blend(affiliate link). You could use poultry seasoning if you don’t have the Italian blend.
2. When the liquid comes to a boil, add the chicken and cook at the barest simmer until it’s cooked through, about 15 minutes.
3. Drain the chicken into a colander and let it drain very well.
4. Then cut the chicken into cubes about 3/4 inch square.
5. I used Herb Scissors (affiliate link) to cut the basil into thin strips. If you’re using basil from the garden, give it a wash in a Mini Salad and Herb Spinner (affiliate link).
6. After you slice the fresh basil, chop green onions, and prepare freshly-grated Parmesan.
7. Whisk together the mayo and buttermilk so it’s smooth; then stir in the basil strips, chopped green onion, and a Parmesan. Gently stir the dressing into the cubes of chicken, season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper, and serve.
8. This salad can also be chilled for a few hours before serving; enjoy!

More Recipes for Chicken Salad:

Chicken Salad with Fresh Tarragon and Peas ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen
Hummus Chicken Salad ~ Aggie’s Kitchen
Leftover Chicken Salad with Mustard, Hearts of Palm, and Olives ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen
Whole 30 Bacon Avocado Chicken Salad ~ Wonky Wonderful
Shredded Chicken Salad with Green Olives, Celery, and Green Onion ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen
Tarragon Chicken Salad ~ She Wears Many Hats

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Yield: 6 servings

Chicken Salad with Basil

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

I love growing basil in the summer, and this low-carb Chicken Salad with Basil (and Parmesan!) is something I'd never get tired of.

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced cooked chicken, cut in 3/4 inch pieces (If you’re cooking the chicken for this recipe, see notes below.)
• 3/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup sliced green onion
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh basil leaves (or more)
• 3 T coarsely grated Parmesan Cheese
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. If you’re cooking chicken for this, trim visible fat from 4 chicken breasts, then cut the chicken lengthwise into thirds.  Put the can of chicken stock, 2 cans of water, and the Italian Herb Blend (affiliate link) or poultry seasoning into a small sauce pan and bring to a boil.  When it boils add chicken breasts, turn heat to low, and  let simmer 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.  Drain the chicken into a colander placed in the sink and let it cool.
2. While the chicken cools, slice the basil leaves or cut with Herb Scissors (affiliate link) and wash if needed, chop green onions, and measure the freshly-grated Parmesan.
3. When chicken is cool, dice it into pieces about 3/4 inch square and place into medium-sized bowl.
4. Combine mayo and buttermilk, whisking until it’s smooth.  Then stir in green onion, Parmesan, and basil.
5. Add dressing to the chicken in the bowl and gently mix until chicken is well coated with dressing. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
6. This can be served immediately or chilled slightly before serving.  This will keep in the fridge for about a day, but it’s best freshly made.

Notes

This recipe adapted by Kalyn from one that appeared on the Best Foods site.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 404Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 401mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 23g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating (under the PRINT button in the recipe) or share a photo of your results on Instagram! THANKS!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
This Chicken Salad with Basil is great for any low-carb or low-glycemic diet plan and any phase of the original South Beach Diet. South Beach would probably recommend you use light mayo and use portion control due to the amount of fat; other low-carb diets will prefer full-fat mayo.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Salad Recipes to find more low-carb salads like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You can also Follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This salad was first posted in 2005! It was last updated in 2021.

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