Lentil & Chicken Spring Salad (Printable)

Protein-packed salad with lentils, roasted chicken, arugula, pickled onions, and tangy mustard dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 cup dry green or brown lentils, rinsed
02 - 2 cups cooked, shredded roasted chicken breast, skinless
03 - 4 cups fresh arugula
04 - ½ cup pickled red onions, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - ½ cucumber, sliced

→ Mustard Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Place lentils in a saucepan with 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and cool slightly.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, shredded chicken, arugula, pickled onions, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
04 - Pour the mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Divide among four plates and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The mustard dressing clings to every lentil and leaf, so each bite packs flavor instead of falling flat at the bottom of the bowl
  • You can prep everything ahead and the flavors actually get better after a few hours in the fridge
02 -
  • Overcooked lentils turn into mush and disintegrate when you toss the salad, so start checking them at the 20 minute mark
  • The dressing tastes quite sharp on its own but mellows beautifully once it coats the lentils and chicken
03 -
  • Toast the lentils in a dry pan for 2 minutes before cooking to deepen their nutty flavor
  • Double the dressing recipe and keep the extra in a jar for quick salads all week
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