Cucumber and Chicken Clean Shaker (Printable)

A fresh, protein-packed salad blending crisp cucumber, tender chicken, herbs, and a zesty vinegar dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 8.8 oz)
02 - ½ tsp sea salt
03 - ¼ tsp 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 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped

→ Dressing

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

# Steps:

01 - Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then poach for 12 to 15 minutes until just cooked through. Remove, allow to cool, then dice or shred.
02 - Dice the cucumber and bell pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion. Combine all vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Add the diced chicken and chopped herbs to the vegetables. Pour the dressing over and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 minutes for a chilled, crisper salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels virtuous without tasting like punishment, which is rare for something this light.
  • You can prep it in the time it takes to listen to a podcast episode.
  • The vinegar dressing clings without any oil, so every bite stays bright and sharp.
  • Leftovers actually improve after a few hours in the fridge.
02 -
  • Don't boil the chicken hard or it turns into rubber, a gentle simmer is all you need.
  • Chop the red onion as finely as you can stand, big chunks will hijack the whole dish.
  • The dressing tastes sharp on its own but mellows beautifully once it hits the vegetables and chicken.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it, vinegar strength varies and you might need to adjust the lemon or honey.
  • Let the chicken cool completely before adding it to the salad, warm chicken will wilt the herbs and make everything sad.
  • If you're meal prepping, keep the dressing separate until just before eating so the vegetables stay crisp.
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