Spring Detox Chicken Salad (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

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 (10.6 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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cucumber, radish, and avocado if using. Top with sliced grilled chicken.
04 - Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with additional lemon slices if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crunch of radish and cucumber against tender chicken creates the most satisfying texture contrast
  • That lemon vinaigrette will become your new favorite dressing for everything
  • Ready in 30 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy cafe
02 -
  • Letting the grilled chicken rest before slicing keeps it juicy instead of dry
  • The vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge
  • Wait until the very last second to dress the salad or it will become soggy
03 -
  • Toast some sunflower seeds or sliced almonds and sprinkle them on top for extra crunch
  • For a vegetarian version, use grilled tofu or chickpeas instead of chicken
  • Add fresh herbs like basil, dill or cilantro for an extra layer of flavor
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