Name: Smoked Chicken Salad – Easy 10-Minute Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ cup yogurt; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon red pesto; salt and pepper (to taste); ½ English cucumber; 7 oz. smoked chicken; 3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes; 5 oz. mixed green salad; 1 tablespoon pine nuts ( roasted )

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Smoked Chicken Salad-Easy 10-Minute Recipe is the quick, flavor-packed dish you'll keep in your back pocket all summer. Tender smoked chicken, crunchy cucumber, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts, all tossed in a creamy yogurt-mayo dressing with red pesto. It's fresh, satisfying, and comes together in just 10 minutes-no stress, no fuss, and always welcomed at the table.

Part of a bowl of green salad with pesto, chicken and tomatoes

Smoked Chicken Salad - Creamy Pesto Dressing

I make this Smoked Chicken Salad so often that my family doesn't even ask what's for lunch anymore-they just check if the pine nuts are already on the counter. It's one of those dishes you can pull together without thinking, yet it still looks like you've gone to some effort. The smoked chicken is the star here: tender, savory, and with that subtle smoky edge you simply can't fake. Pair it with crisp cucumber and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and you have a combination that works every single time.

The dressing is my favorite part-creamy from the yogurt and mayonnaise, but with the depth of red pesto. It clings to every leaf of salad and gives each bite a satisfying richness without feeling heavy. I always toast the pine nuts just before serving, so they keep that perfect crunch. And yes, I will tell you to watch the pan like a hawk-because one phone call and they'll go from golden to black in seconds.

I've served this at BBQs, lunch, and even as a light dinner on a hot evening. It's endlessly adaptable: swap the chicken for smoked cheese, add avocado if you want an extra rich salad, or use green pesto when you want a fresher, more herbal note. The beauty is, it's done in 10 minutes flat. You can prep it while chatting with guests or catching up with your family, and it will still look and taste like you planned it that way. This recipe is tested, foolproof, and part of my real-life cooking - the kind you can rely on any day of the week.

Tips for Smoked Chicken Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Always scrape cucumber seeds-too much water makes the salad soggy.
Toast pine nuts in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes; they'll smell nutty and taste richer. Stick with the pan while toasting - pine nuts burn fast.
Add pine nuts just before serving to keep their crunch.
Use semi-dried sun-dried tomatoes for the best texture.
Red pesto gives a sweet, deep flavor; green pesto works too.
Cut smoked chicken into small cubes so every bite has flavor.

A large bowl of salad with smoked chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and pesto.

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