daily salad meal
A fresh, hearty, and easy-to-make daily salad packed with crisp vegetables, lean protein, and satisfying crunch—perfect for meal prep or a quick lunch. Inspired by real home cooking at Barefeet in the Kitchen, this salad keeps you strong all week!
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped romaine and green leaf lettuce (mixed)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1 medium cucumber deseeded and diced
- 0.5 cup canned corn drained or cooked fresh/frozen
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 0.5 cup thinly sliced red onion soaked in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1 lb grilled chicken breast shredded use rotisserie for quick prep
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Fritos or tortilla strips
Dressing
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 0.25 cup fresh lime juice about 2 limes
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp cumin ground
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Prep all vegetables: wash, chop lettuce, halve tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice red and green onions. Place in large salad bowls or meal prep containers.
- Cook chicken (if not using pre-cooked): season breasts with salt, pepper, and cumin, then grill for 5-6 minutes per side. Let cool slightly, then chop or shred. Alternatively, use rotisserie chicken.
- Hard boil eggs, cool, peel, and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Divide chopped vegetables among four containers, top with corn, avocado, cheese, and half the onions. Place a paper towel in each container to absorb moisture and extend freshness.
- Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic for the dressing. Transfer to small jars.
When Ready to Eat
- Shake dressing well and drizzle over salad just before serving.
- Add chopped chicken, eggs, remaining onions, and Fritos or tortilla strips for crunch.
- Toss well and enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor!
Notes
Store dressing and toppings separately for meal prep. This salad stays fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge. For extra flair, add diced apples, pears, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro!