Summer Detox Cucumber Noodle Chicken (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumber noodles paired with zesty chili-lime grilled chicken and fresh vegetables create a perfect light summer meal.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chili-Lime Grilled Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Zest and juice of 2 limes
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Cucumber Noodle Salad

10 - 3 large cucumbers, spiralized or julienned
11 - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 cup carrots, julienned
13 - 1/2 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
14 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced

→ Lime Vinaigrette Dressing

17 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
19 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
20 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
21 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
22 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
23 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
24 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring even coating. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced depth of flavor.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal juices run clear. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While chicken marinates and cooks, spiralize or julienne cucumbers and carrots. Transfer to a large bowl with bell pepper, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions.
05 - In a small jar or bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Shake vigorously or whisk until emulsified and fully incorporated.
06 - Pour dressing over vegetable mixture. Toss gently until all components are evenly coated with vinaigrette.
07 - Divide cucumber noodle salad among four serving plates. Top each portion with sliced chili-lime chicken. Garnish with additional cilantro or lime wedges if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes like summer on a plate without leaving you feeling bloated or sluggish afterward.
  • The whole thing comes together faster than you'd expect, which means weeknight dinners actually happen on time.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than 30 minutes before eating or the cucumbers will start leaking water and diluting everything.
  • The chicken must rest after grilling or you'll bite into a dry piece; those five minutes matter as much as the cooking time.
03 -
  • If you don't own a spiralizer, a sharp vegetable peeler and a good knife work just fine; don't let missing equipment stop you from making this.
  • Taste the dressing before dressing the salad; if it needs more lime juice or salt, fix it now instead of after combining everything.
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