Cucumber Chicken Clean Shaker (Printable Version)

Light and fresh combo of cucumber, chicken, herbs, and tangy dressing for a clean meal.

# Components:

→ Protein

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

→ Dressing

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

# Method 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 cooked through. Remove and let cool before dicing or shredding.
02 - While chicken cooks, dice cucumber and red bell pepper, halve cherry tomatoes, and finely chop red onion. Combine all in a large mixing bowl.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Add diced chicken and chopped fresh herbs to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes for a crisper, cooler salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes and tastes like you spent far more effort than you actually did.
  • The vinegar-based dressing is punchy and alive, making every vegetable taste more like itself.
  • You'll feel genuinely energized after eating it, not sluggish—there's something to be said for that.
02 -
  • Don't boil your chicken—a gentle simmer keeps it tender and prevents it from becoming tough and stringy.
  • Fresh herbs make an enormous difference here; dried herbs will make this taste like every other sad desk salad you've ever eaten.
03 -
  • Don't dress the salad too far in advance; the cucumber will weep and the crunch will suffer if it sits more than 15 minutes.
  • If you prefer a thicker dressing, add another half teaspoon of Dijon mustard to help it cling to the vegetables.
Return