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Introducing my Spring-inspired Spicy Chicken Salad, featuring crisp green Romaine lettuce, vibrant citrus-chilli dressing with a fresh turmeric root, sweet Ambrosia apple chunks, and spicy chicken breast marinated in a garlic-chilli-herb blend. Refreshing and packed with anti-inflammatory goodness!
As your dietitian, it brings me joy to debunk the myth that nutritious salads are bland and uninspiring. In fact, they can be incredibly satisfying and flavorful! This Spicy Chicken Salad, enhanced with an Anti-inflammatory Salad Dressing with Fresh Turmeric Root, is a testament to that. It’s not just about nourishing your body; it’s about delighting your taste buds and embracing the vibrant flavours of wholesome Spring ingredients.
And here’s the kicker: it’s a wallet-friendly option compared to store-bought or restaurant salads. Plus, you can whip it up in just 20 minutes. No need to marinate the chicken overnight; just slice it thinly to speed up cooking and infuse it with that delicious spicy flavour.
Nutrition highlights
Discover the nutritional benefits packed into every delicious bite of this easy chicken salad. Here are the key highlights:
- An excellent source of vitamin C from the Romaine lettuce
- Fiber-rich goodness from the lettuce and apples
- Protein power from the chicken
- Antioxidants to help fight inflammation from turmeric and spices
Ingredients
Chicken salad dressing
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Chilli flakes
- Mustard
- Black pepper
Chicken salad
- Skinless boneless chicken breast
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Freshly crushed garlic
- Cayenne pepper
- Oregano
- Sea salt
- Romaine lettuce
- Ambrosia apples
How do you make the best chicken salad?
Let’s dive into the process, where ingredient selection, preparation, cooking, and assembly all matter for a delicious outcome.
For a complete list of ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, you can find everything you need in the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Food safe storage
For optimal freshness and flavor retention, it’s recommended to store the salad components separately. Begin by placing the cooked chicken slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Similarly, ensure the washed and dried lettuce leaves are lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture; this can help prolong their shelf life. Additionally, the homemade dressing should be stored in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator, maintaining its freshness for up to five days.
To maintain the salad’s crispness, it’s best to hold off on assembling it until you’re ready to serve. When the time comes, simply slice fresh apples right before assembly to prevent browning. Then, combine the lettuce, chopped chicken, sliced apples, and dressing for a delightful and fresh salad experience.
Diabetes diet advice
This keto chicken salad is rich in protein from the chicken, and fibre from the lettuce and apples, making it a filling and diabetes-diet friendly dinner option. Plus, its low-carb nature makes it suitable for those managing their carbohydrate intake, while its plant-powered ingredients provide anti-inflammatory benefits that can help prevent diabetes complications.
If you give this salad recipe a go, I’d love to hear from you! Share your rating, leave a comment, and be sure to tag me on Instagram @DesiliciousRD! Seeing your creations makes my day!
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Simple Spicy Chicken Salad With Romaine Lettuce
Video
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 lemon, juice from fresh lemon
- ½ tbsp fresh turmeric, root, washed, peeled and grated
- 1 tsp mustard, yellow
- ¼ tsp black pepper, powder
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
Chicken Salad
- 2 chicken breast, extra large (total weight~450 g), fat and skin removed, each breast cut into three thin slices
- 3 cloves garlic, large, crushed
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper, powder
- 1 tsp oregano, dried
- ½ tsp salt, sea salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin for spicy chicken marinade
- 1 head lettuce, Romaine, large, washed and cut
- 2 apples, Ambrosia, washed, cored and cut into small chunks
- 1 tsp olive oil, for frying chicken
Instructions
Chicken Salad Dressing
- Add all the dressing ingredients into a small mason jar. Give it a good shake to mix and store in the refrigerator until serving.
Chicken Salad
- In a large bowl, combine chicken breast slices, crushed garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Use your hands to mix and coat each breast slice gently.
- Heat half a teaspoon of olive oil in a large non-stick frypan over medium-high heat. Fry three slices at a time for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Ensure to check for doneness. Fry the remaining chicken slices in the leftover half teaspoon of oil.
- Transfer the lettuce to a large bowl. Add the dressing and use tongs to give it a good mix, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Once the chicken is cooked, slice it into thin strips.
- To assemble the salad, place a generous portion of the dressed lettuce onto each bowl. Top with sliced chicken and apple chunks. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Food safe storage
- For optimal freshness and flavor retention, it’s recommended to store the salad components separately. Begin by placing the cooked chicken slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Similarly, ensure the washed and dried lettuce leaves are lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture; this can help prolong their shelf life. Additionally, the homemade dressing should be stored in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator, maintaining its freshness for up to five days.
- To maintain the salad’s crispness, it’s best to hold off on assembling it until you’re ready to serve. When the time comes, simply slice fresh apples right before assembly to prevent browning. Then, combine the lettuce, chopped chicken, sliced apples, and dressing for a delightful and fresh salad experience.
Diabetes diet advice
- This keto chicken salad is rich in protein from the chicken, and fibre from the lettuce and apples, making it a filling and diabetes-diet friendly dinner option. Plus, its low-carb nature makes it suitable for those managing their carbohydrate intake, while its plant-powered ingredients provide anti-inflammatory benefits that can help prevent diabetes complications.
Nutrition Information:
Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Love making caesar salad, and this is such a great way to amp it up!
Hello Varnamala! Thanks so much for your feedback, it’s certainly amped up 🙂 Warmly, Shahzadi