Chicken Salad Budget Cuts Veggies (Printable)

Tender chicken paired with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing for a nourishing meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 large cucumber, diced
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 2 medium carrots, shredded
12 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional)

→ Dressing

14 - 3 tbsp olive oil
15 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
16 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
17 - 1 tsp honey (optional)
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

19 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting the chicken.
02 - Combine chicken thighs or drumsticks with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, stirring to coat evenly.
03 - Place the chicken pieces on a baking tray and roast for 18-20 minutes until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow to cool slightly before shredding or chopping into bite-sized pieces.
04 - While the chicken roasts, wash, chop, and combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, carrots, red onion, and cooked chickpeas in a large salad bowl.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), salt, and pepper in a small jar or bowl until emulsified.
06 - Add the shredded chicken to the vegetable mixture, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently to combine all ingredients uniformly.
07 - Sprinkle chopped parsley or cilantro over the salad before serving to enhance freshness and presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses economical chicken cuts to save money
  • Packed with fresh vegetables for nutrition and crunch
02 -
  • The salad is dairy-free and gluten-free as written
  • Contains mustard in the dressing, so check ingredient labels for allergens
03 -
  • Substitute with leftover chicken or add cooked lentils to stretch protein
  • Top salad with toasted seeds for crunch and extra nutrition
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