Cucumber Chicken Clean Shaker (Printable)

Refreshing salad with cucumber, tender chicken, fresh herbs, and a zesty vinegar dressing for a light meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8.8 oz)
02 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
03 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large cucumber, diced
05 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
07 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Fresh Herbs

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - ½ teaspoon honey (optional)
15 - ½ teaspoon salt
16 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Season chicken breasts with sea salt and black pepper, then poach for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through. Remove from water, let cool, then dice or shred.
02 - Dice cucumber and red bell pepper, halve cherry tomatoes, and finely chop red onion. Combine all in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Whisk together apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Add diced chicken and chopped fresh herbs to the bowl of vegetables. Pour dressing over and toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 minutes for a chilled, crisp texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes lighter than it actually is, with enough protein to keep you satisfied all afternoon.
  • No oil means no guilt, just pure flavor from herbs and vinegar doing exactly what they're supposed to do.
  • Comes together faster than you'd expect for something that feels this intentional.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step for the chicken—warm chicken will release water and make your salad weep instead of staying crisp.
  • Whisk your dressing for a full minute; it helps the ingredients emulsify and the flavor becomes noticeably more balanced and rounded.
03 -
  • Make the dressing first and let it sit while you prep vegetables; the flavors settle and deepen in just ten minutes.
  • If your apple cider vinegar tastes too harsh, white wine vinegar or even rice vinegar will give you something milder and just as clean.
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