Spring Detox Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

A bright salad featuring grilled chicken, fresh greens, cucumber, radish, and lemon dressing for a nourishing spring meal.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Salad

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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until the mixture emulsifies. Set aside.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a large bowl, mix salad greens, cucumber, radishes, and avocado if desired. Top with sliced grilled chicken.
04 - Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Plate immediately, optionally garnished with additional lemon slices.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The way the peppery radish cuts through rich chicken is exactly what spring eating should taste like
  • It comes together in the time it takes to grill chicken, making it perfect for nights when you want something real but also fast
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that slicing radishes paper thin is non negotiable, thick slices overpower everything else
  • Letting your chicken rest before slicing is what keeps it juicy, skip this and it will be dry no matter how perfectly you grill it
03 -
  • Dry your greens thoroughly after washing, water on the leaves makes dressing slide right off
  • Taste your dressing before adding it to the salad, adjusting the acid or salt now saves the whole dish
Return to Recipe