Simple Salad with Cajun Chicken

As a busy mom and Nutritionist, this is one of my all-time favourite meals, especially as the weather gets warmer and fresh berries are blooming. A simple salad with cajun chicken is a beautiful bowl of seasoned chicken breast, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, strawberries, avocado, and homemade vinaigrette.

Key ingredients in this cajun chicken salad

• Lean, skinless chicken breast
• Cajun seasoning. I love this brand that is available in most grocery stores in Canada and Amazon. There is a hint of brown sugar in it but, for the amount that this recipe calls for, it is minimal. You can always make your own cajun seasoning if you want to completely avoid sugar
• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Goat Cheese
• Strawberries
• Raw pumpkin seeds
• Red onion
• Homemade vinaigrette: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, sea salt and pepper

Why this chicken salad is on frequent rotation in my house

• Low carb, high protein from chicken and goat cheese
• Quick to make: While the chicken is roasting, the rest of the salad and dressing come together
• A nice balance of flavours from the cajun heat, the sweet strawberries, and the tangy dressing
• A different texture in every bite! Crunch from pumpkin seeds and cucumber, creaminess from avocado and goat cheese
• Naturally gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free for those with food sensitivities or allergies

Simple Salad with Cajun Chicken

Author: Jen Casey | Nutritionist at Mama Bare Wellness

Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 30 minutesTotal time: 40 minutesCooking Temp:400 FServings:2 servings

Description

This simple salad is a nourishing bowl of Cajun chicken breast, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and homemade vinaigrette.

Ingredients

For the salad

• 2 organic chicken breasts (skinless)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 head lettuce
• 1⁄3 cucumber (diced)
• 1⁄2 avocado (diced)
• 6 strawberries (sliced)
• 4 Tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
• slivers of red onion (optional)

For the salad dressing

• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Prepare the chicken breast by coating with olive oil and cajun seasoning. Roast for 30 minutes, slice and set aside
2. While the chicken is roasting, prepare the salad ingredients by chopping all the veggies up and make the dressing
3. Just before serving, toss the lettuce only with some of the dressing. Add more dressing, if needed
4. Divide the dressed greens into 2 bowls. Top with diced veggies, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, avocado, red onion, and sliced chicken breast

Keywords:gluten free, nut free, summer salad, chicken salad

If you love simple, healthy salads, try these recipes next

Quick Chickpea Caesar

Greek Chicken Bowl

Warm Goat Cheese and Strawberries Salad