When it comes to creating a healthy chicken salad, the first step is to choose high-quality ingredients. Start with fresh, lean chicken breast, and then add plenty of vegetables and a healthy dressing. Here is a recipe for a delicious and nutritious chicken salad that you can make at home.
Ingredients:
For the salad:
- 2 cups of cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 2 cups of mixed greens (spinach, kale, arugula)
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, sliced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make healthy chicken salad
Instructions:
Start by cooking the chicken breast. You can grill, bake, or poach it. Once it is cooked, let it cool down before shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the vegetables. Rinse the mixed greens and pat them dry. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, slice the cucumber, dice the red onion, and cube the avocado.
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked chicken, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and avocado. Toss everything together gently.
To make the dressing, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated.
Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad and serve immediately.
This chicken salad is not only delicious but also very healthy. Here's why:
Lean chicken breast is an excellent source of protein. It is low in fat and calories but high in nutrients that your body needs, such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and zinc.
Mixed greens are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. They are also a great source of fiber, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Cherry tomatoes are low in calories but high in antioxidants, such as lycopene, which can help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.
Cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, which can help keep you hydrated. They are also a good source of vitamin K, which is important for bone health.
Red onions are rich in flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are also a good source of vitamin C and fiber.
Avocados are high in healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They are also a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and K.
Feta cheese is a good source of protein and calcium. It is lower in calories and fat than many other types of cheese.
By using these ingredients, you can create a healthy and delicious chicken salad that is full of flavor and nutrients. Plus, it's easy to customize this recipe to your own tastes by adding or subtracting ingredients as needed.
I hope you find this recipe helpful and enjoyable!
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