Description
This fresh and healthy chicken salad features lean, tender chicken combined with crisp mixed greens, juicy grapes, and a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or light dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 lb)
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
- 1 avocado, diced (to be added just before serving)
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, and (optional) paprika.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken breasts for 6–8 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C).
- Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables & Fruits
- Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and julienne the red bell pepper.
- Thinly slice the red onion and chop the celery.
- Halve the red grapes.
- Dice the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
Step 3: Toast the Pecans
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pecans for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
- Transfer to a cutting board, coarsely chop, and let cool.
Step 4: Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and chopped dill.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste until the mixture is smooth and well emulsified.
Step 5: Assemble the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, celery, grapes, and sliced chicken.
- Drizzle the dressing evenly over the mixture and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle the toasted pecans on top and give a final gentle toss.
- Add the diced avocado immediately before serving.
Notes
- Variations: Substitute chicken with turkey or tofu for a different protein option.
- Tips: For an extra creamy dressing, add a little more sour cream or Greek yogurt. If you prefer a crunchier texture, increase the amount of toasted nuts.
- Allergies: If you have nut allergies, simply omit the pecans or substitute with roasted chickpeas.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over additional fresh greens or alongside gluten-free crackers for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: PT20M
- Cook Time: PT15M
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 438 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 g
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
Keywords: chicken salad recipe, healthy chicken salad, easy chicken salad, nutritious lunch recipe, fresh salad, protein salad