Description
Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad is a fresh and crunchy meal bursting with smoky grilled chicken, nutty roasted cashews, crisp mixed greens, and vibrant vegetables, all tossed in a tangy natural dressing. Perfect for quick, healthy lunches or dinners, this salad offers a delicious and balanced combination of textures and flavors that can be easily customized to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 grilled chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (natural), for marinade
Nuts
- 3/4 cup cashews, roasted
Vegetables and Greens
- 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
- 1 cup cucumber slices
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced (mixed colors)
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing (Natural)
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 2 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp honey (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Marinate the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and olive oil (natural). Grill the chicken over medium heat until cooked through and nicely charred. Let it rest briefly, then slice into bite-sized strips.
- Roast the Cashews: Using a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the cashews, stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes until they turn golden and fragrant. Allow them to cool before adding to the salad.
- Chop and Prep the Veggies: Wash and dry the mixed greens completely. Thinly slice cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions. Grate the carrots and finely chop the green onions and fresh cilantro.
- Make the Dressing (Natural): In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), honey (natural), salt, and black pepper until the mixture is emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Toss and Combine: In a large bowl, gently combine the mixed greens, prepared vegetables, grilled chicken slices, and toasted cashews. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to evenly coat all ingredients.
Notes
- Dry the greens thoroughly after washing to keep the salad crisp.
- Toast cashews just before assembling to maintain optimum crunch and aroma.
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance smoky and savory flavors.
- Mix shredded and sliced vegetables for varied textures in each bite.
- If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate until serving to preserve freshness and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: chicken salad, cashew salad, grilled chicken, crunchy salad, healthy salad, gluten free
