Who doesn’t love a quick, yummy, and healthy meal? obé instructor, health coach, and nutritionist-in-training Kat B. dishes out one of her favorite easy healthy recipes, a green goddess chicken salad that’s perfect for any time of year—but especially as a refreshing summertime meal.
“My favorite recipes are nutritious, delicious, and most importantly—full of joy,” says Kat. “This one is vibrant and protein-packed to feed your inner goddess and leave you feeling satiated and satisfied.”
You’ll use store-bought rotisserie chicken (or your own homecooked chicken if you’re meal-prepping!), a bundle of fresh herbs, and a blender or food processor to cut down on active time.
Think of this as a remix of the classic green goddess dressing, which typically uses mayonnaise or sour cream as its base. We’re making it more nutritious (and protein-packed for workout days) by swapping in Greek yogurt to lighten it up, plus some capers and lemon juice to add a tasty punch.
We’ve said it a million times, and we’ll say it a million more: good, nutritious food doesn’t have to be time-consuming—and this quick recipe is proof.
Easy Healthy Recipe: Green Goddess Chicken Salad
THE MASTER INGREDIENT LIST
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 medium avocado, ripe
1 teaspoon honey
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon capers with brine
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
2 sprigs of mint leaves
2 tablespoons chopped dill
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1/4 cup loosely packed parsley leaves
4 tablespoons water, plus up to 2 additional tablespoons if necessary
Pink Himalayan salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
THE STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE
Follow these instructions, or watch the video for guidance!
- In the carafe of a high-powered blender or food processor, combine the garlic, avocado, honey, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, yogurt, capers, nutritional yeast, mint leaves, dill, chives, parsley, water and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth. Add up to 2 tablespoons of additional water if the mixture is too thick.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with the dressing and toss to coat, seasoning to taste. Serve on lettuce wraps, gluten-free bread, or eat alone!
If you have any extra dressing left over, put it in an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for up to five days. Try using it for your avo toast, with bib lettuce, or as a dip for crackers or celery sticks!
Yield: About 2 cups
Active: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
SPOTLIGHT MOMENT
There’s a lot to love about this ingredient list, packed with sneaky (sneaky, because it’s also delicious) nutritional treats.
- Herbs: Packed full of flavor, these botanical plants are one of the best ways to add freshness to your meals—without added sugar or salt. Our opinion? You can never have too many herbs. It doesn’t hurt that their smells are pure bliss, making the food they dress with feel more appetizing.
- Avocados: These nutrient-packed fruits are amazing for adding creaminess and healthy fats to any recipe. Loaded with potassium (yes, they’re a better source of this mineral than bananas!), they’re perfect post-workout snacks to avoid muscle cramping and aid your recovery.
- Nutritional yeast: A dried, inactive form of yeast, this topping has a nutty, umami flavor and is a fantastic swap for parmesan cheese (vegans, rejoice!). It’s packed with protein, vitamins (hi, B12!), minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, studies show it has plenty of health benefits, including fighting bad cholesterol, preventing cellular damage, and boosting immunity.
- Olive oil: Not only will it help emulsify your dressing, but it will also add a good portion of Omega-3s and heart-healthy fats to your plate.
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