Protein Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad with spiralized cucumber, grilled chicken, and sesame dressing, perfect for a light energizing meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 10.5 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

05 - 2 large cucumbers, spiralized
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - ¼ cup shredded carrots
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped scallions

→ Sesame Dressing

09 - 2 tablespoons tahini or toasted sesame paste
10 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup for vegan option
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
15 - 2 tablespoons water to adjust consistency

→ Garnish

16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - While chicken grills, spiralize cucumbers and combine them with halved cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and chopped scallions in a large bowl.
05 - Whisk together tahini, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and water until smooth. Adjust water quantity to reach desired consistency.
06 - Drizzle the sesame dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
07 - Plate the dressed cucumber salad and top with sliced grilled chicken breasts.
08 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and optional fresh cilantro on top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It delivers serious protein without making you feel like you're eating a sad desk lunch.
  • The whole thing comes together faster than ordering takeout, and your kitchen stays cool.
  • That sesame dressing tastes like you know secrets about Asian cooking that you absolutely do not.
02 -
  • If you don't let the chicken rest, it'll be dry no matter how perfect the cooking was; those 5 minutes aren't optional.
  • Make the dressing first and taste it while you have time to adjust, because nothing's worse than realizing mid-bite that it needed more garlic.
03 -
  • Don't make this salad more than a few hours in advance, or the cucumber will release water and dilute your beautiful dressing into weakness.
  • If you don't have a spiralizer, use a julienne peeler or just slice the cucumber into ribbons with a regular knife; the salad doesn't care, it just wants you to make it.
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