Sometimes easy low carb lunches simply mean putting something together. We don’t always have time to cook. But we always have time for yummy.
Easy low carb lunch prep that doesn’t involve cooking? This keto recipe is a keeper!
Try Low Carb Pesto Chicken Salad This Week!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our link(s) at no extra cost to you. This information is not intended to be medical education and is not medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for your or any medical professional. You should always seek counsel from your physician before beginning any new diet or exercise regime. Yes, this means talking with your doctor even if we’re simply highlighting a simple way to prepare low-carb lunches that require zero cooking like this pesto chicken salad. Also, Nom nom, nom.
Do you need a break from cooking but still want a delicious and easy low-carb option for lunch (or even dinner)? This is the recipe for you.
With just a few grocery items, this no-cook low-carb lunch will easily become your favorite.
Easy Low Carb Lunches Should All Be This Good
Easy Low Carb Lunch Ideas
There is nothing new about chicken salad and if you’re like me, that’s a-okay. Sometimes familiarity is just the friend you’re looking for. For me, it’s the same tub I’ve been getting from the grocery store deli since childhood. I can thank my mom for my chicken salad obsession. It started at a Stop & Shop and I was always so giddy if the weekly grocery haul included, what I now know is naturally low-carb chicken salad.
Of course, I enjoyed it with all the carbs back then. Indeed, I always wanted it served (especially from a diner) looking like the mouth-watering image below.
But now we have goals and we can make something equally as yummy and keto friendly.
High Protein Low-Carb Lunch Ideas
Let’s check out the nutritional values of Publix Chicken Breast Salad. You’ll find 10 grams of protein in 1/2 cup of their house brand. Furthermore, we’re going to add more protein items like a quick arugula salad, artichoke hearts, mini peppers, and asiago cheese.
In all, your low-carb chicken salad lunch will have approximately 20 grams of protein.
But you’re wondering about the total carbs, right? You’ll find 16 grams of carbs if you include the arugula salad. Remove that and double up on the chicken salad resulting in fewer carbs.
Quick Keto Lunch
This really does come together quickly and without a lot of chopping and fussing around time. There are a few knife strokes to make but before we get to that, let’s highlight the star of the show.
The beauty of these mini peppers, especially when the goal is easy low carb lunches for work, is the stability. Bread can get soggy by the time you step away from the desk for your lunch break. These peppers will keep your lunch in perfect (and fresh) order. You can even dress the arugula and leave it for a few hours. The hearty leaf can easily stand up to the lemon and olive oil dressing.
Easy Low Carb Lunch Ideas
Ok, fellow chicken salad lover – I have a question for you. Can you eat the same thing often or do you need to switch it up a bit? If the latter, I have excellent news! Chicken salad is kind of a blank canvas. Its creamy nature begs for more flavor if that suits you.
I’m sure you’ve heard of adding curry to chicken salad. Here’s a picture of the Trader Joe’s Curry Chicken Salad prepared for a friend. I wanted their opinion of the curry versus the pesto. They loved both. But, Trader Joe’s chicken salad is not low-carb and tastes sweet. Avoid this one for yourself and instead indulge in the recipe (can we call it that?) within this post.
The curry was the inspiration for the low-carb version I wanted. I wondered what other spices or flavors I could add.
Pesto was the obvious answer. I’m sure I’ve seen this out and about at many a restaurant and now, I know why. Adding a tablespoon of pesto made the chicken salad absolutely delicious. Pesto is also low-carb!
Easy Low Carb Lunch
Let’s get into it! This is so simple! You’ll need a bowl that you’ll fill with 2 cups of arugula. Open a can of artichoke hearts and hand-tear or cut 2 hearts and add to the arugula. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the leafy greens. Add a pinch of salt and the juice of half of a lemon.
Mixy mix!
Add the quick salad to your plate or lunch box and add shaved asiago or parmesan cheese on top.
Next, mix 1 tablespoon of pesto into 1/2 cup of chicken salad.
Back to that knife – cut 2-3 mini peppers (based on the size) and stuff each half with chicken salad. Then place these next to the salad and there you go. Super quick, so easy, and absolutely delicious if you ask me.
This Post Was All About Easy Low Carb Lunches
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Keto Pesto Chicken Salad Lunch (NO COOKING!)
Ingredients
- 2 C Arugula
- 2 Artichoke Hearts from a can, Chopped
- 1/2 Fresh Lemon, Juiced
- 1 T Olive Oil
- Pinch of Salt
- 1/4 C Shaved Asiago Cheese
- 2-3 each Mini Peppers, Sliced Lengthwise remove any seeds and membrane
- 1/2 C Store Bought Low Carb Chicken Salad
- 1 T Pesto
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the arugula through the salt and toss. Then top with shaved pieces of asiago
- Next, combine 1/2 cup of chicken salad with the pesto. Then spoon the pesto chicken salad into the peppers and enjoy