PALEO & KETO LEMON POPPY SEED CHICKEN SALAD WITH AVOCADO MAYONNAISE DRESSING

We don't believe in boring or bland salads and are confident that you will find this incredibly satisfying and delicious! This lemon poppy seed chicken salad is ideal to have for lunch or as a light dinner. It's Paleo & Keto friendly as well as Gluten-Free and Low Carb, bringing nothing but health optimising nutrients to the table - and heaps of flavour of course!

How Do I Choose the Best Chicken?

We always recommend using free range chicken, whatever dish you are making. Free range chickens are allowed to roam the land freely and this is the gold standard for both ethics and quality. We love Coxtie Green Farm whose free range chickens are fed herbage along with their daily feed.

Wherever you get your free range chicken, consider getting a whole chicken and using the whole of the carcass to make a nutrient-dense bone broth. The parts of the chicken which are often discarded are actually packed with collagen and other great nutrients.

Why Should I Make My Own Salad Dressing?

It's easy to pick up a salad dressing from the supermarket, they're cheap, have a great shelf life and come in all kinds of exotic flavours. However, most store bought salad dressings are made using inflammatory seed oils, as well as artificial ingredients and preservatives (hence that great shelf life!)

Making your own homemade salad dressing is super easy and tastes much fresher. Once you've made one you'll begin to experiment with different flavours and never look back to store-bought alternatives! You can use our Avocado Oil and Avo Mayos as a nutritious base for all kinds of sauces and dressings.

What are the Benefits of Using Avocado Oil Mayonnaise?

We use 100% cold pressed avocado oil to make our Hunter & Gather Avocado mayonnaise range. It's high in healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as being free from grains. sugar and seed oils.

To this we add a few select natural and real food ingredients such as British free range egg yolks, Himalayan rock salt and apple cider vinegar. You won't find any hidden nasties in our avocado mayo like artificial flavourings or preservatives. Avocado oil mayonnaise is the best choice if you are looking for a real food, health optimising mayo that also tastes amazing and is Keto and Paleo friendly.

What is the Best Way to Cook Chicken Breasts?

This recipe calls for cooked chicken, which is super easy to make in a big batch and prepare in advance. If you have chicken breasts, simply preheat the oven to 220C and when it's ready add your chicken breasts to a baking tray, seasoning with Himalayan rock salt and cracked black pepper.

Large chicken breasts will take around 20-22 minutes to cook. You should always use a thermometer to check they are cooked through (anything over 75C at the thickest section meat is safe). If you don't have a thermometer, cut into your chicken breast and make sure it is piping hot and white throughout. You can finish your chicken breasts under the grill for 2 minutes to achieve a delicious crispy skin!

Can I Make this Recipe in Advance?

This recipe makes 4-6 portions depending on your appetite! So, it's ideal for meal prep and portioning into lunches. Once cooked and cooled, chicken will keep in the fridge in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

If you are preparing this recipe in advance we would recommend making each component separately; chicken, salad and dressing and storing in air tight containers before combining just before serving.

What If I Can't Find Poppy Seeds?

You might struggle to find poppy seeds in your local supermarket. If so, you can still make this salad using chia seeds which are a bit easier to find. You can also top this salad with chopped nuts for some added texture if you're all out of seeds. 

 

Nutritional Info (Per Serving):

Calories: 465

Fat: 37.7g

Of which saturates: 6.3g

Carbohydrate: 16.1g

Of which sugar: 10g

Protein: 16.9g

What You Need (Ingredients):

For the Salad:

• 1kg cooked chicken (5-6 chicken breasts)
• 2 celery stalks
• 1/2 red onion
• 40g flaked almonds

For the Dressing:

• 250g jar of Hunter and Gather Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp poppy seeds (or alternative)
• 2 tbsp honey raw honey or maple syrup (optional, leave out for Keto or Whole30)

What You Do (Method):

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix together all of the dressing ingredients and use a whisk to remove any lumps - cover and set aside
2. Dice the celery and onion and add to a large bowl, then toss in the cooked chicken and almonds
3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss!
4. Serve immediately or leave in the fridge until ready to serve (use airtight containers and keep each element separate if you're portioning for lunches)

 

All information provided on our website and within our articles is simply information, opinion, anecdotal thoughts and experiences to provide you with the tools to thrive.

It is not intended to treat or diagnose symptoms and is definitely not intended to be misconstrued for medical advice. We always advise you seek the advice of a trained professional when implementing any changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits.

We do however recommend seeking the services of a trained professional who questions the conventional wisdom to enable you to become the best version of yourself.