Chicken Salad Budget Cuts (Printable)

A vibrant dish combining affordable chicken cuts with a mix of fresh, crisp vegetables.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# Cooking steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Toss chicken thighs or drumsticks with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
03 - Arrange the chicken on a baking tray and roast for 18-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let cool slightly and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
04 - Rinse and chop lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and red bell pepper, shred carrots, thinly slice red onion, and combine all with chickpeas in a large bowl.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small jar or bowl until emulsified.
06 - Add cooled chicken to the vegetable mixture, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently to combine.
07 - Sprinkle chopped parsley or cilantro over the salad before serving.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Uses affordable chicken thighs or drumsticks for a budget-friendly meal
  • Packed with fresh vegetables for crunch and nutrition
02 -
  • This salad is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free but always check packaged ingredient labels for cross-contamination
  • If using canned chickpeas, verify allergens as some brands process in facilities that handle wheat
03 -
  • Substitute chicken with leftover or poached meat for extra convenience
  • Add lentils or extra seeds for added crunch and protein
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