Grilled Chicken Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado

Grilled Chicken Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado

Ingredients:

• 4 oz grilled chicken breast (about the size of a deck of cards)

• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, or your choice)

• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced

• 1/4 avocado, sliced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: fresh herbs (like cilantro or parsley) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Grilled Chicken: Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs or spices. Grill until fully cooked and slice into strips.

2. Chickpeas: Rinse and drain canned chickpeas. You can use them directly or quickly sauté them in a pan with a touch of olive oil and your preferred spices for added flavor.

3. Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and chickpeas.

4. Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

5. Assembly: Place the grilled chicken strips and avocado slices on top of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad.

6. Garnish: Optional garnish with fresh herbs.

Nutritional Information (approximate):

• Grilled chicken breast: 130 calories, 26g protein

• Chickpeas: 130 calories, 6g protein

• Mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber: 40 calories, 2g protein

• Avocado: 60 calories, 1g protein

• Olive oil: 120 calories

• Lemon juice: 5 calories

Total:

• Calories: ~485 calories (slightly over 450 calories)

• Protein: ~35g

To bring the meal under 450 calories, you can reduce the portion size of the chickpeas or use half of the avocado. Adjusting the portion sizes while maintaining the protein content can help you achieve the desired calorie goal. This meal is rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins, making it a nutritious and satisfying option for lunch!