This Chicken Romaine Salad is a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make recipe that's great for lunch or a light dinner. It's topped with honey caramelized cashews that add an irresistible crunch.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Chicken Romaine Salad is a delicious and nutritious option for lunch or dinner. Here’s why it's the best:
- Simple and Fresh Ingredients: This salad is made with simple, fresh ingredients that are easy to find, like our heirloom tomato salad.
- Quick and Easy: The recipe takes under 30 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect option for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Packed with Protein: The chicken and cashews in this salad provide a good amount of protein, keeping you full and satisfied, just like our Chicken Pastrami Salad.
- Versatile: While this recipe calls for specific vegetables, you can easily customize it with your favorite salad ingredients.
- Easy to Make Ahead: The dressing and the salad ingredients can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for meal prep.
Key Ingredients
- Romaine Salad – The base of our dish, romaine salad, provides a crisp and refreshing contrast to the other ingredients.
- Chicken Breast Fillet – Lean and protein-packed, it’s the hero of this recipe.
- Raw Cashews – We use these to add a delicious crunch to our salad.
- Honey Lemon Dressing – A mix of honey, lemon juice, and olive oil, our dressing is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy that ties all the flavors together.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations to make this salad your own:
- Greens: While we love the crunch of romaine lettuce, feel free to swap it out with your favorite leafy greens, like spinach or kale.
- Veggies: Don't be afraid to play around with the veggies in this salad. Try adding in some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or even some avocado for extra creaminess.
- Protein: If you're not a fan of chicken, this salad would also be delicious with some grilled shrimp or even some tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Nuts: Not a fan of cashews? Try swapping them out with some almonds or walnuts for a different flavor.
How to Make Chicken Romaine Salad
Step 1: Cook chicken in butter until both sides are brown.
Step 2: Boil broccoli for 2 minutes and then immediately place it in ice water.
Step 3: Marinate sliced onions in lemon juice for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Cook cashews in a skillet until lightly golden. Add honey and caramelize.
Step 5: Place romaine on a plate. Add chicken, marinated onions, bell pepper, and broccoli.
Step 6: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with caramelized cashews.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Chicken Romaine Salad
- A light soup, such as a classic chicken noodle or a vegetable bean soup, can be a great starter to this hearty salad.
- For a more substantial meal, serve the chicken romaine salad with a side of crusty bread or some garlic toast. It also goes well with a variety of sandwich options.
- This salad pairs well with a side of pasta. Try a simple spaghetti carbonara or delicious truffle pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend using a boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. It cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors of the salad dressing and seasonings well. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier and more flavorful option.
Yes, you can! In fact, making the caramelized cashews in advance is a great time-saving tip. You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. However, keep in mind that they might lose a bit of their crunchiness over time.
Plunging the broccoli in ice water immediately after boiling, a process known as blanch and shock, stops the cooking process and helps the broccoli retain its bright green color and crisp texture. It also prevents it from getting mushy.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, keep in mind that the romaine may wilt slightly and the cashews may lose some of their crispness.
Recipe
Chicken Romaine Salad With Honey Caramelised Cashews
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat butter and cook chicken until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Bring medium pot of water to a boil, add broccoli and cook on a medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon and plunge immediately in the ice water.
- In a small bowl, place sliced onions, a pinch of salt, add lemon juice and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add cashews. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden. Add honey and allow nuts to caramelize stirring regularly to prevent from sticking. After a couple of minutes, transfer nuts to the plate.
To serve:
- Place romaine on a plate, add chicken, marinated onions, bell pepper and broccoli. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and scatter caramelised cashews over the salad.
Notes
Nutrition
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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