Protein Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Light, high-protein salad with grilled chicken, crisp cucumber, fresh veggies, and sesame dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 10.6 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

05 - 2 large cucumbers, spiralized
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - ¼ cup shredded carrots
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped scallions

→ Sesame Dressing

09 - 2 tablespoons tahini or toasted sesame paste
10 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
15 - 2 tablespoons water, to thin dressing as needed

→ Garnish

16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
03 - Cook chicken breasts on the grill pan for 5 to 6 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear; remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - While chicken cooks, spiralize cucumbers and combine in a large bowl with halved cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and chopped scallions.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and water until smooth; adjust consistency with additional water if necessary.
06 - Drizzle the sesame dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
07 - Divide dressed cucumber salad among plates and arrange sliced grilled chicken on top.
08 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro over the salad, if desired, and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means lunch is ready before you've even thought about being hungry.
  • The sesame dressing is addictive and works on literally anything, so you'll find yourself making extra to keep in the fridge.
  • You get a proper protein hit without feeling heavy, perfect for those days when you want to actually finish your afternoon without a food coma.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting step after grilling the chicken. It genuinely makes the difference between tender and tough, and five minutes is nothing.
  • Taste your dressing before you mix it with the vegetables. If it's too thick, water is your friend, and if it's too salty, a squeeze of rice vinegar brings it back into balance.
  • The cucumber spirals will release water as they sit, so if you're not eating immediately, dress right before serving or the salad becomes a soggy mess.
03 -
  • Pat your spiralized cucumbers with a clean kitchen towel before eating to remove excess water and prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Make the sesame dressing in a mason jar, shake it hard, and store it in the fridge for up to five days so you always have something delicious ready.
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