Deli Container Shaker Chicken (Printable)

Protein-rich salad blending chicken, crisp cucumber, and a zesty soy-sesame dressing for light meals.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small carrot, julienned (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

→ Soy-Sesame Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
13 - Juice of 1/2 lime

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, chili flakes if using, and lime juice until uniformly blended.
02 - Layer diced chicken, sliced cucumber, scallions, optional julienned carrot, and toasted sesame seeds in a large container or mason jar.
03 - Pour the prepared soy-sesame dressing evenly over the layered ingredients.
04 - Seal the container tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 24 hours. Shake again before serving to redistribute the dressing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It actually tastes better the next day, which means meal prep becomes a secret advantage instead of a chore.
  • The shaking part is oddly satisfying and works better than any salad bowl ever could.
  • One container holds everything—dressing, protein, vegetables—so there's nothing to forget at the office.
02 -
  • If you don't use toasted sesame oil, you won't get the deep, nutty flavor that makes this dressing special—regular sesame oil tastes empty by comparison.
  • The vegetables release water as they sit, so if you're making this more than a few hours ahead, slice the cucumber thinner so it doesn't turn the container into a vegetable soup.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes if you have time—they taste infinitely better than pre-toasted, and your kitchen will smell incredible.
  • Make a double batch of dressing and keep it in the fridge for up to a week; it works on any grain bowl or green salad in a pinch.
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