Want a simple and satisfying dinner idea? Why not try my chicken salad with honey and mustard dressing. It comes together within twenty minutes. Enjoy it on its own or as a sandwich filling.
I’ve just come back from a beautiful, restful holiday in Nigeria! I got the chance to reconnect with family I haven’t seen in over five years, and of course, I ate ALL the food. The last time I went to Nigeria, I was vegan. I cannot describe in words how ecstatic my family was when I announced I was no longer vegan. Their reaction shocked me a lot more than I expected because I didn’t realise how much my vegan diet alienated them from me. I ended up eating a lot more junk food, seafood and chicken than I wanted to, but I have no regrets. That said, I’m back home now, and I’m fully ready to get back to my preferred pattern of eating.
When it comes to resetting after a period of indulgence, I am all about eating whole foods. Detoxes, cleanses, fasts and FAD diets are too extreme, and in my opinion, often lead to a spiral of unhealthy eating habits. My preferred approach is to eliminate processed foods, drink lots of water and crowd my plate with whole foods including fruits, veggies, starchy carbs, lean meats, legumes, nuts and seeds. I also try to make sure that I eat adequate portions of food. The temptation to under-eat after a period of overeating is always there, but once again, doing that can lead to a myriad of problems. If you eat adequately, your body will effortlessly drop excess fat and water, and you won’t need to starve or feel deprived to achieve that.
In addition to eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts & seeds, some of my other tips for resetting after a period of overindulgence include the following:
- Avoid all types of refined sugars including agave nectar, molasses, high fructose corn syrup. Refined sugar promotes insulin surges that disrupt some hormones and promote gut flora imbalances.
- Avoid refined grains, flours and products made from them.
- Eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption as it can impair the absorption of nutrients
- Reduce or temporarily eliminate yeast-containing foods such as bread and pizza because of their high salt content, which can promote water retention.
I have been craving raw, fresh food ever since I got back from holiday. For me, a salad is the simplest way to satisfy that craving. This chicken salad with honey & mustard dressing hit the spot.
Chicken Salad with Honey & Mustard Dressing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch/Dinner
Description
Simple, yet nourishing chicken salad. Enjoy on its own or use as a sandwich filling.
Ingredients
- 40z organic chicken breast, chopped into medium chunks
- 1 teaspoon vegetable seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 100g mixed baby leaf salad
- 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 50g tenderstem broccoli, steamed
- 1 teaspoon sunflower seeds
- 1/4 large cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 large avocado, chopped
For the honey mustard dressing
- 1 1/2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, add the chicken breast pieces then sprinkle the vegetable seasoning and a pinch of black pepper over them. Stir well to coat then fry, tossing continuously for 10 minutes or until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Poke a hole in the middle of the largest piece to check that the meat inside in completely white and steaming hot. Set aside and allow to cook for a few minutes.
In the meantime, combine baby leaf salad, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber and avocado in a salad bowl. Add the cooled chicken, sunflower seeds and the salad dressing. Toss well to combine then sprinkle with chilli flakes for some heat if you desire.
Notes
Simply swap chicken with tofu or tempeh to make this vegan.
