Chicken Salad with Fresh Veggies (Printable)

Tender chicken paired with a mix of crisp vegetables and a zesty dressing for a wholesome meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 large cucumber, diced
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 2 medium carrots, shredded
12 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional)

→ Dressing

14 - 3 tbsp olive oil
15 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
16 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
17 - 1 tsp honey (optional)
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

19 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Toss chicken thighs or drumsticks with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread chicken evenly on a baking tray and roast for 18-20 minutes until cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Allow to cool slightly, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
04 - While chicken roasts, rinse and chop lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, shred carrots, thinly slice red onion, and add cooked chickpeas to a large bowl.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), salt, and black pepper in a small jar or bowl until emulsified.
06 - Add the cooled chicken to the vegetable mixture, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
07 - Sprinkle chopped parsley or cilantro over the salad before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Budget-friendly protein using economical chicken cuts
  • Loaded with fresh vegetables for taste and nutrition
02 -
  • This salad is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free as written
  • Mustard in the dressing is a potential allergen for sensitive eaters
03 -
  • Use leftover chicken for quicker preparation
  • Add toasted seeds for extra crunch and nutrition
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