Sometimes, I just cannot be bothered to stand in the kitchen for longer than an hour and a half at a time, but I still want something healthy instead of oven food. When I first moved to the UK, I didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be for me to get a salad to-go. I kind of assumed there would be a Sweetgreen equivalent, but I quickly realised that equivalent would be my kitchen, so I had to get really creative. So when I miss the simple fresh flavours of home, I make one of my favourites: chicken salad. Inspired by @violet.cooks on TikTok, I’ve started to add beans to my salad to add more fibre and protein. What really ties it all together is a homemade vinaigrette, which is a lot simpler than you think. 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed. 
• 1 can of butter beans, drained and rinsed. 
• 4-6 chicken thighs 
• 1 box of cherry tomatoes 
• Bunch of fresh parsley 
• 1 red bell pepper 
• Juice of half a lemon 
• 1 whole cucumber 
• Pickled red onions 
• Seasonings of choice for the chicken 
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 
• Salt and pepper 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Marinate your chicken with seasonings of choice and some olive oil. Set aside for at least 30 minutes. 
2. Cut your vegetables into bite sized pieces and add them into a mixing bowl. 
3. Add your drained and rinsed beans into the bowl. 
4. Cook your chicken either on the stove, or in a preheated oven at about 220C for 30 minutes, skin side up. 
5. Cut your chicken into bite sized pieces once cooled, and add into the bowl. 
6. To make the dressing, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and salt and pepper into a small mixing cup. To emulsify, just use a fork to beat it. 
7. Toss, and you’re done. 

The great thing about this salad is that it stores well in the fridge and I like to eat it over the course of a couple days to save me cooking time when I’m bombarded with work. There are so many different ways you could add to the salad as well. I sometimes like to switch up the beans by adding some other variation of white beans, or add an avocado for healthy fats.