Spring Detox Chicken Salad (Printable)

Mixed greens, grilled chicken, crisp cucumber, and radish tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette for a light spring meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
02 - 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 6 radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 2 grilled chicken breasts (about 10.5 ounces total), sliced
05 - 1 small avocado, sliced (optional)

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cucumber, radish, and avocado if using. Top with sliced grilled chicken.
04 - Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving plates immediately and garnish with extra lemon slices if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under thirty minutes but feels like something from a restaurant, the kind of lunch that makes you pause between bites
  • The vinaigrette strikes that perfect balance between sharp and sweet, making even simple greens taste extraordinary
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble when you are ready, which means no last minute stress when hunger hits
02 -
  • I once dressed this salad too far ahead of serving, and the radishes lost all their crisp magic, so toss right before you eat
  • Letting the chicken rest might feel like wasted time, but those five minutes redistribute the juices and prevent dry meat
  • The vinaigrette keeps in the refrigerator for a week, but bring it to room temperature before using so it pours smoothly
03 -
  • Toasting sunflower seeds or sliced almonds for two minutes in a dry pan adds a nutty dimension that makes every bite more interesting
  • A microplane is perfect for that garlic, creating a paste that disperses evenly instead of leaving spicy chunks
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