Description

This Zesty Lemon Basil Chicken Salad is a fresh and easy-to-make meal combining tender rotisserie chicken with a bright, creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Enhanced with garlic, shallots, bell pepper, and fragrant fresh basil, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner served on gluten-free bread, wraps, or as a low-carb option in lettuce cups.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

2 lbs Rotisserie Chicken (skin removed and shredded)
4 cloves Garlic (minced)
2 Shallots or ½ Onion (finely minced)
1 Bell Pepper (diced)
½ cup Fresh Basil (minced)

Dressing

⅓ cup Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Optional

Gluten-Free Bread, Wraps, or Crackers for serving

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Instructions

Prepare produce: Begin by mincing the garlic and shallots or onion finely. Dice the bell pepper into small pieces and mince ½ cup of fresh basil to ensure vibrant flavor distribution.
Prepare chicken: Allow the rotisserie chicken to cool, then remove the skin. Shred or dice the chicken meat to your preferred size, discarding the bones and skin. Transfer the chicken to a large mixing bowl.
Combine solids: Add the minced garlic, shallots (or onion), and diced bell pepper to the bowl with the chicken, mixing them together gently.
Make dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and smooth. This will be your bright, creamy dressing.
Dress salad: Drizzle a desired amount of dressing over the chicken mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated in the luscious dressing.
Add basil: Fold the minced basil into the dressed chicken salad, stirring until everything is beautifully combined and coated.
Serve: Portion the salad onto gluten-free bread, wraps, tortillas, pita, or serve it low-carb in lettuce cups. Garnish with extra basil and a squeeze of lemon if desired, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Using rotisserie chicken helps reduce prep and cook time significantly.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice and mustard in the dressing for a more or less tangy flavor.
Serve immediately for best freshness or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Customize with additional veggies like celery or cucumber for extra crunch.
For a dairy-free option, substitute mayonnaise with a vegan alternative.