Make: Protein-Packed Asian Chicken Salad with Ginger and Cilantro

Asian Chicken Salad | Photograph by Becca Boyd

Okay, you’ve made it past Halloween. Sure, you ate one too many Reese’s, but you’ve ditched the rest of the candy stash and are ready to get back on track. Of course, now Thanksgiving is around the corner, which could pose another looming threat by claiming what’s left of your self-discipline and leaving you helplessly shoving Christmas cookies in your mouth as you watch the scale tick upward.

Resist! Fight back! Do it by dialing up the health factor on every meal within your control. Soups, big salads and lean protein should be all that’s coming out of your kitchen until Thanksgiving Day, or what I like call “My Annual Excuse to Eat Lots of Pie Day.” This chicken salad will get you there. Flavorful and packed with protein, it’s great in a pita but one step healthier over mixed greens.

Hang in there—you can do it!

Protein-Packed Asian Chicken Salad with Ginger and Cilantro
Serves four

2 tbsp. almond or peanut butter
2 tbsp. chicken broth
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. freshly grated ginger (or 1 tsp. ground ginger)
1 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (about two cups worth)
4 scallions, ends chopped off, sliced
1/2 c. finely chopped carrot
1 yellow or red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
4 small whole-wheat pita pockets

Method:

1. Whisk nut butter, chicken broth, vinegar, ginger, soy sauce and pepper flakes until combined in a small mixing bowl.
2. In a larger mixing bowl, combine chicken, scallions, carrot, bell pepper and cilantro. Add dressing and gently mix to combine.
3. Add salt and combine.
4. If serving in pitas, fill and serve. Also delicious over a bed of greens.

Per serving: 288 calories, 10 fat grams (including 2 grams saturated fat), 62 milligrams cholesterol, 544 milligrams sodium, 469 milligrams potassium, 22 grams carbs, 4 grams dietary fiber, 3 grams sugar, 26 grams protein.

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Becca Boyd is a wife and mom who creates healthy and delicious recipes in her West Chester kitchen. She blogs about them on her website, Home Beccanomics.

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