🥗 15-Minute Chef Salad

A fresh, colorful, protein-packed salad loaded with crispy chicken, boiled eggs, veggies, and creamy dressing. Perfect for lunch or dinner!

🥣 Ingredients (Serves 2)

Base

• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup cucumbers, sliced

• ½ cup red onions, thinly sliced

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 boiled eggs, quartered

Protein

• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
  (grilled, baked, or air-fried — crispy or plain)

Dressing

• 3–4 tbsp ranch dressing (or any dressing you prefer)

Optional Add-ins

• Croutons

• Avocado slices

• Olives

• Bacon bits

• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the salad base

Wash and chop romaine lettuce. Add to a large bowl.

2. Add fresh veggies

Top with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions.

3. Add proteins

Place sliced boiled eggs and diced chicken on top.

4. Add cheese

Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the salad.

5. Drizzle dressing

Pour ranch dressing over everything (or serve on the side).

6. Serve

Enjoy immediately for best texture and crunch! 🥗✨

⏱ Time

• Prep: 10 minutes

• Assemble: 5 minutes
  ✔ Total: 15 minutes

🔥 Nutrition (Approx per serving)

• Calories: 420–500 (depends on dressing & chicken style)

• Protein: 32–38g

• Carbs: 10–14g

• Healthy fats: 18–22g

• Fiber: 3–5g

🧠 Q/A Section

Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Keep dressing separate until serving.
It stays fresh for 24 hours in an airtight container.

Q2: What dressing works best?

Ranch, Caesar, honey mustard, Greek yogurt dressing, or balsamic vinaigrette.

Q3: Can I make it low-calorie?

Yes:

• Use grilled chicken

• Use light ranch or yogurt dressing

• Skip cheese (optional)

Q4: Can I use different protein?

Absolutely! Try:

• Turkey slices

• Tuna

• Steak strips

• Chickpeas (for vegetarian)

Q5: How to make it diabetic-friendly?

• Skip croutons

• Use low-fat dressing

• Add more leafy greens + cucumbers

• Avoid sugar-heavy dressings

Q6: Can kids eat this?

Yes! Just reduce onions + dressing and add their favorite veggies.

Q7: Is crispy chicken okay?

Yes — for a lighter version, use air-fried or grilled chicken.

🌟 Optional Upgrades

1. High-Protein Version

• Add chickpeas or beans

• Add Greek yogurt dressing

• Add turkey slices

2. Keto Version

• More eggs

• More cheese

• Replace tomatoes with avocado

• Use low-carb dressing

3. Weight Loss Version

• No cheese

• No croutons

• Light dressing

• Grilled chicken only.