Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and revolutionize your meal prep! This French-inspired Chicken and Puy Lentil Salad is not just another ordinary salad – it's a symphony of flavors, textures, and nutritious ingredients that will make your midday meal an extraordinary experience. Imagine tender, protein-packed chicken nestled among earthy Puy lentils, crisp vegetables, and a zesty vinaigrette that brings every bite to life.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked Puy lentils
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the Puy lentils. If not already cooked, rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water and place in a medium saucepan with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 20-25 minutes until tender but still firm.
- While the lentils are cooking, prepare the chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper, then either grill, bake, or pan-sear until fully cooked through. Once cooled, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Dice the red onion into fine, uniform pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes and cut the cucumber into small, even cubes. Finely chop the fresh parsley.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled Puy lentils, shredded chicken, diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
- Create the dressing by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined and slightly emulsified.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Allow the salad to sit for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top of the salad just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Tips
- Lentil Perfection: Always rinse Puy lentils before cooking and avoid overcooking. They should be tender but still maintain a slight bite for the best texture.
- Chicken Preparation: For maximum flavor, consider seasoning your chicken with herbs like thyme or rosemary before cooking, which will add depth to the salad.
- Dressing Technique: Whisk the olive oil and red wine vinegar vigorously to create a smooth, well-emulsified dressing that coats each ingredient evenly.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. It's perfect for meal prep!
- Temperature Matters: Let the lentils and chicken cool completely before mixing to prevent wilting of fresh vegetables and maintain crisp textures.
- Customize Your Salad: Feel free to add roasted nuts like almonds or swap herbs based on your preference to make this recipe uniquely yours.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 80mg
