Description
Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad is a light and satisfying dish featuring tender grilled chicken, crunchy cashews, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. It’s perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner and offers a refreshing balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (grilled and sliced)
- 1 cup cashews (roasted, unsalted)
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 1 medium cucumber (thinly sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (julienned)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped, optional)
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (optional for creaminess)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon water (to thin, if needed)
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Let rest for 5 minutes and then slice into thin strips.
- Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, grated ginger, garlic, and peanut butter in a small bowl. Add water if the dressing is too thick.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed salad greens, cucumber, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, and red onion. Top with grilled chicken, cashews, and cilantro.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add chili flakes to the dressing or top the salad with fresh jalapeños.
- If you prefer, you can swap the cashews with other nuts like almonds or sunflower seeds.
- Make it vegan by omitting the chicken and substituting the honey with maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
