Description
A vibrant and nutritious Chicken & Beetroot Lentil Salad combining tender shredded chicken, earthy cooked beetroot, and protein-rich puy lentils tossed in a tangy honey-Dijon mustard dressing. Finished with fresh herbs, creamy goat’s cheese, and burst of pomegranate seeds, this salad is perfect for a wholesome lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Salad
- 250g pouch cooked puy lentils
- ½ small savoy cabbage, finely sliced
- 2 leftover chicken legs, skin removed and meat shredded
- Small handful mixture of soft herbs (parsley and dill recommended)
- 75g goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 3 cooked beetroot, sliced
- 50g pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and olive oil until well combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste to balance the flavors.
- Combine the salad ingredients: Add the cooked puy lentils, finely sliced savoy cabbage, shredded chicken meat, and chopped soft herbs (parsley and dill) into the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly in the dressing.
- Assemble and garnish: Divide the dressed salad mixture between serving bowls or plates. Top each serving with crumbled goat’s cheese, sliced cooked beetroot, and sprinkle over the pomegranate seeds to add texture and a burst of sweetness.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy the salad fresh to appreciate the contrasting flavors and the freshness of the herbs and pomegranate seeds. This salad can also be chilled briefly for a cooler option.
Notes
- Using leftover cooked chicken makes this recipe quick and reduces waste, but you can also poach or roast fresh chicken if preferred.
- If goat’s cheese is unavailable, feta or ricotta salata are good alternatives.
- Cooked beetroot can be bought ready-prepared or roasted at home.
- For extra crunch, consider adding toasted walnuts or hazelnuts.
- This salad is suitable for make-ahead; keep dressing separate if preparing early to preserve cabbage crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Modern European
Keywords: Chicken salad, lentil salad, beetroot salad, healthy lunch, easy dinner, goat cheese, pomegranate, no-cook salad
