Description
This easy Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad offers a refreshing balance of smoky turkey bacon, crunchy toasted cashews, and crisp fresh vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines tender cooked chicken breast with vibrant mixed greens, red bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and green onions, all tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet natural dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or wholesome dinner, this salad delivers on flavor, texture, and nutrition with adaptable ingredients and simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoky turkey bacon, sliced into small strips
Nuts
- 1/3 cup cashews, lightly toasted
Vegetables & Greens
- 3 cups mixed greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula mix)
- 1/2 cup red bell peppers, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumbers, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup carrots, julienned or finely shredded
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Gather all ingredients. Chop cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Slice turkey bacon into small strips. Finely chop red bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and green onions to create a colorful veggie mix.
- Cook the turkey bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook turkey bacon until crisp and golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and preserve the crunch.
- Toast the cashews: In a dry pan, lightly toast cashews for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, enhancing their flavor and crunch.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, chili flakes if using, and natural gelling agent until smooth and fully combined.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine mixed greens, chopped vegetables, cooked chicken, turkey bacon, and toasted cashews. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly with the tangy dressing.
Notes
- Use the freshest greens and vegetables for a vibrant and crisp salad.
- Add dressing gradually and toss lightly to avoid wilting the greens.
- Watch cashews carefully while toasting to prevent burning.
- Cook chicken and bacon ahead of time to save preparation time on busy days.
- Adjust chili flakes in the dressing to customize the spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Chicken salad, cashew salad, turkey bacon salad, crunchy salad, healthy salad, quick salad
