Ingredients
– 2 cups diced cooked chicken (grilled or roasted)
– 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as romaine, spinach, and arugula)
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
– 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 cup shredded carrots
– 1/4 cup cilantro or parsley, chopped
– 1 avocado, sliced
– 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
– 1/4 cup sliced almonds or walnuts (optional)
For the Dressing:
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Creating Crunchy Spicy Chicken Salad is simple with these easy steps.
1. Prepare Chicken: If not using pre-cooked chicken, grill or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked. Once cool, dice into bite-sized pieces.
2. Wash and Dry Greens: Rinse the mixed salad greens thoroughly under cold water. Spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
3. Chop Vegetables: Slice cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion. Grate or julienne the carrots.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, salad greens, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, shredded carrots, and cilantro or parsley. Toss gently to mix.
5. Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well blended.
6. Dress Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss gently to ensure everything is well-coated.
7. Add Optional Ingredients: If desired, include sliced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and nuts for added flavor and crunch.
8. Serve Immediately: For the best texture, serve the salad right away, or chill it for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 30g