Deli Container Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and crisp cucumbers layered with a savory soy-sesame dressing for a fresh, high-protein lunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 280 g cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small carrot, julienned (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

→ Soy-Sesame Dressing

06 - 45 ml low sodium soy sauce
07 - 15 ml rice vinegar
08 - 15 ml toasted sesame oil
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
13 - Juice of 1/2 lime

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, chili flakes if using, and lime juice in a small bowl or jar. Whisk until well blended.
02 - Arrange chicken, cucumber, scallions, carrot if using, and toasted sesame seeds in a large deli container or mason jar.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the layered ingredients.
04 - Seal the container tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake again before serving to redistribute the dressing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything gets evenly coated without dirtying a single mixing bowl or tongs.
  • It holds up beautifully in the fridge, so you can prep it the night before and actually enjoy your lunch break.
  • The soy-sesame dressing is so good you will want to double it and keep extra in a jar.
  • It feels indulgent but clocks in under 300 calories with serious protein to keep you full.
02 -
  • Do not add the dressing more than 24 hours ahead or the cucumbers will start weeping and turn the whole thing watery.
  • Make sure your container lid is truly sealed before you shake, or you will be wiping sesame dressing off your ceiling.
  • If you want to meal prep for the week, keep the dressing separate in a small jar and add it right before shaking and eating.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they smell nutty and start to pop. It takes two minutes and makes a huge difference.
  • If you are using leftover grilled chicken instead of rotisserie, chop it small so every bite gets coated in dressing.
  • Add the lime juice last when making the dressing. It keeps the brightness from fading if you mix it ahead.
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