Quick and Easy Balsamic Chicken-Broccoli Salad
A Delicious, Simple Summer Salad Recipe Makes a Quick Dinner for Two
Jun 30, 2009
Looking for an easy and delicious way to combine a healthy serving of vegetables and a low-fat source of protein in a dinner for two? Try this quick and easy balsamic chicken-broccoli salad recipe. Add more vegetables and choose a favorite salad dressing to vary the meal according to personal preferences. No matter which healthy vegetables and salad dressings are chosen, this easy-to-make, one-dish meal creates a delectable summer salad that’s sure to please.
Easy Balsamic Chicken-Broccoli Summer Salad Recipe
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 1-2 broccoli crowns, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼-½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼-½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (to taste)
- 1-2 cups fresh spring greens or chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 carrots, grated
- Other vegetables as preferred, such as avocados, diced cucumbers, snow peas, tomatoes, etc.
- ¼ -½ cup shredded/crumbled cheese, any kind
- Caesar dressing (or other salad dressing), optional
Directions
- Place broccoli in a steamer basket over medium-high heat. Steam while preparing chicken and remaining ingredients. Once broccoli is fork-tender but still bright green, remove from heat. Be sure to remove pot lid and/or remove steamer basket from pot to prevent overcooking.
- Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Turn heat down to medium and add chicken. Stir for 15-30 seconds, then add balsamic vinegar, using enough of it to coat the chicken and cover the bottom of the skillet.
- Add pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning to skillet and stir to coat chicken. Continue to simmer chicken-balsamic mixture, stirring occasionally, while preparing remaining salad ingredients.
- Evenly divide lettuce or spring greens between two large salad bowls.
- Grate one carrot into each bowl, and then add any additional cold vegetables desired to the salad.
- Evenly divide the steamed broccoli between the bowls.
- Evenly divide the cooked chicken-balsamic mixture between the bowls.
- Evenly divide the cheese between the two salad bowls, sprinkling it over the top.
- (Optional). Top each salad with 1-2 tablespoons of Caesar or other salad dressing, as desired.
- Place a third, same-sized salad bowl over one of the salads, and shake the salad around (taking care to keep the bowl sides matched up to avoid ingredients falling out or leaking) to mix the ingredients together. Repeat with the other salad.
- Enjoy!
Combine Low-Fat Protein and Healthy Vegetables in this Dinner for Two
Use this simple balsamic chicken-broccoli salad recipe to create a marvelous meal that includes multiple healthy servings of vegetables and a low-fat protein source. Include other vegetables, such as avocados and tomatoes, to increase the meal’s nutrient content. Use low-fat or fat-free salad dressing and low-fat or nonfat cheese to decrease overall calories, if desired. Enjoy this healthy summer salad recipe as a quick dinner for two any day of the week.
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