If you happen to’re uninterested in leafy inexperienced salads for lunch, these 5-ingredient hen salad recipes will provide you with some simple lunch inspiration from Southwestern to fruity!
I eat plenty of tuna salad and salmon salad, however hen salad is one other nice approach to flip one of the crucial frequent components right into a high-protein lunch!
What I like most about these sorts of blended “salads” is their simplicity and flexibility. When arising with a brand new recipe, I think about the massive macro teams – advanced carbohydrates, protein, and wholesome fat – and discover new methods to squeeze in all three (I discuss extra about this in my filling salads for lunch put up).
Right now, I’m sharing a couple of of my favourite no-or-light mayo hen salad recipes – every made with simply 5 components. Whether or not you’re beginning with rotisserie hen from the grocery retailer for added darkish meat or leftover hen breast, you’ll be stunned at how flavorful every recipe is with minimal effort. They’re additionally nice for straightforward lunches, fast dinners, or a protein-packed snack.
5-Ingredient Hen Salad Recipes
My go-to philosophy relating to meals? There’s all the time a approach to tweak a recipe to make it somewhat more healthy – and much more your model. These hen salad recipes are basic favorites refreshed with wholesome components I like, and omitted those I don’t (ahem, onions).
Is Hen Salad Wholesome?
In fact! However as most recipe kinds go, some recipes are lighter and more healthy than others based mostly on what components are served with the hen. Are you placing in tons of mayo or oil or including veggies and Greek yogurt (Y’all understand how a lot I like including Greek yogurt to something I can, and that doesn’t cease now!)? Hen is a good supply of protein, so in fact that’s the shining macro to maintain you full.
And even in case you are confronted with a really dense store-bought hen salad, just a bit might be going to fill you up, so serve it with complementary meals which are lighter and produce vitamin together with them.
That stated, right here’s what I like about hen salad from a dietary standpoint:
Excessive in Lean Protein: I do know you’ve heard this earlier than, however it’s value repeating – protein issues. It helps construct and preserve muscle, helps metabolism, and retains you feeling glad for hours. Hen is such a strong supply of lean protein, and it’s additionally a protein that most individuals like.
Low in Refined Carbs: Relying on the way you serve it – perhaps on entire grain toast for a hen salad sandwich, wrapped in crisp lettuce, or eaten straight from the bowl – hen salad will be low-carb. Meaning it’s a blood sugar-friendly choice that’s satisfying.
Wholesome Fat That Work for You: Lightening up the mayo doesn’t imply ditching taste or creaminess. I like utilizing Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed avocado, or perhaps a drizzle of olive oil. These add richness and nourishing fat that help mind and coronary heart well being.
Balanced and Filling: A superb hen salad has the trifecta – protein, wholesome fats, and fiber.
And let’s be trustworthy: one bowl, a couple of easy components, and a fast combine? That’s my form of no-fuss, wholesome meal prep.
Easy methods to Make Hen Salad With 5 Components: Recipe Concepts
Avocado Lime Hen Salad Recipe
If you happen to’re within the temper for one thing Southwestern, this Avocado Lime Hen Salad checks all of the bins. It’s tremendous easy, loopy satisfying, and has simply the correct amount of zing in each chew. Scoop it up with whole-grain crackers or crunchy tortilla chips for an amazing texture distinction! Add somewhat salsa for a kick too, if you happen to like.
Components
- 1 cup cooked hen, shredded or diced
- ½ ripe avocado, mashed
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions
Step 1: In a big bowl, mash the avocado with lime juice and a pinch of salt till clean.
Step 2: Stir within the hen and cilantro till nicely mixed.
Step 3: Serve in crisp lettuce cups or alongside whole-grain crackers or chips.
Hen Salad Cabbage Cups
Shout out to this basic weblog recipe! I’m an enormous fan of a salad that feels somewhat sudden. And the mixture of savory grilled hen with candy fruit offers off an amazing candy – savory combo. (I do know, fruit on a salad will be controversial!). Add somewhat crunch from the chopped celery and walnuts and you’ve got one thing that feels gentle but satisfying.
Components
- ½ a grilled hen breast, cubed
- 1 giant apple, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1/3 cup blackberries
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
For the dressing:
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (Fage is my go-to!)
- A sprinkle of celery salt, pepper, and marjoram
Directions
Step 1: Toss every little thing in a mixing bowl till it’s properly coated and mixed.
Step 2: Steam 4 cabbage leaves till simply tender, then allow them to cool barely. Scoop the hen salad into every leaf and luxuriate in your no-mayo cabbage cups!
Basic Cottage Cheese Hen Salad Recipe
Don’t be fearful of cottage cheese! Loaded with protein, calcium, potassium, and nutritional vitamins, cottage cheese is a dietary powerhouse. And if you happen to’re craving a basic hen salad vibe however don’t need to devour a vat of mayo, that is the proper various. It’s creamy, crunchy, and truthfully, you may’t style a lot of a distinction. If you happen to get weirded out by the curds of cottage cheese, you’ll find very small curd varieties and/or give it a fast mix first.
Components
- 1 cup cooked shredded or diced hen breast
- ½ cup cottage cheese (I all the time attain for the Good Tradition model – the feel is ideal)
- ¼ cup chopped celery (provides fairly a crunch)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped dill pickle (or purple onion if that’s your factor – I’m crew no uncooked onion)
- Salt and black pepper to style
- Non-obligatory: A pinch of garlic powder or paprika if you need somewhat additional taste
Directions
Step 1: In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese with salt, pepper, and any extra spices you want.
Step 2: Add the hen, celery, and pickles (or onion) and stir till every little thing is nicely coated.
Step 3: Chill within the fridge for 10-Quarter-hour to let the flavors come collectively.
Step 4: Serve it on whole-grain toast, in a lettuce wrap, or simply seize a fork and eat it straight from the bowl – no judgement.
Mediterranean Cucumber Hen Salad Recipe
If you happen to’re within the temper for one thing gentle, crunchy, and summery, this taste combo will go well with you. The cucumber offers it a satisfying crunch, and naturally the feta makes it so good. Pop it into the fridge and let it marinate – it’s just like the flavors get even higher because it sits.
Components
- 1 cup cooked shredded hen
- ½ cup chopped cucumber
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
Directions
Step 1: Toss every little thing in a bowl and provides it an excellent combine.
Step 2: Season with salt and black pepper to style.
Step 3: Serve it over a mattress of leafy greens or tuck it right into a heat pita (So good both approach!).
Bonus Thought: Swap the hen for tuna or salmon in any of those recipes!
If you happen to’re uninterested in leafy inexperienced salads each single day for lunch, easy 5-ingredient do-it-yourself hen salad will be simply as nourishing – and a pleasant change of tempo.
You may also make an enormous batch firstly of the week so that you’ve bought a straightforward, protein-packed lunch or snack able to go when issues get busy.
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