Spring Detox Chicken Salad (Printable)

Light, refreshing mix of mixed greens, cucumber, radish, and grilled chicken with zesty lemon vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
02 - 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 6 radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 2 grilled chicken breasts (approximately 10.5 oz total), sliced
05 - 1 small avocado, sliced (optional)

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
03 - Combine mixed greens, cucumber, radish, and avocado (if using) in a large bowl. Arrange sliced grilled chicken on top of vegetables.
04 - Drizzle lemon vinaigrette evenly over salad. Toss gently to coat all ingredients without crushing greens. Serve immediately with optional lemon wedge garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lemon vinaigrette brings everything alive without overwhelming the fresh vegetables
  • Its endlessly adaptable, whatever looks good at the market will work here
  • You can make it in under 30 minutes but it tastes like restaurant quality
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all the juices inside instead of running out on your cutting board
  • The dressing will taste quite sharp on its own, but it mellows perfectly when tossed with the vegetables
  • Don't dress the salad until right before serving or the greens will start to wilt
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave the cucumber into ribbons instead of slices for an elegant presentation
  • Warm the chicken slightly before adding to the salad, the temperature contrast is amazing
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