Chicken Broccoli Salad
A vibrant chicken broccoli salad featuring tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and flavorful seasonings, perfect for a light, nutritious meal or a refreshing appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup uncooked bulgur ⓘ
- 2 2/3 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) chicken breast ⓘ
- 1/2 cup broccoli flowerets
- 2 tablespoons minced green onions ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon lime juice ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger root ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine bulgur and 2/3 cup boiling water in a large bowl; let stand 30 to 45 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
- Combine bouillon granules, garlic and remaining 2 cups boiling water in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over high heat; add chicken.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken and let cool.
- Discard broth.
- Bone chicken and cut into bite-size pieces.
- Combine with reserved bulgur.
- Steam broccoli 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
- Add broccoli to chicken mixture.
- Add green onions, lime juice, pepper, red pepper flakes and ginger root to chicken mixture, tossing well.
- Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the chicken in lime juice and ginger overnight. If bulgur is unavailable, quinoa or couscous can be used as substitutes. For added texture, throw in some chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts. Adjust the heat by varying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your taste. This dish also makes a great base for other chicken recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Broccoli Salad pairs beautifully with a side of whole grain bread or a light vinaigrette-dressed green salad. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a bowl of Chicken Spaghetti Sauce or Wild Rice And Sausage Casserole. This dish is also excellent for meal prep and can be served as a filling lunch option.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through. Alternatively, you can enjoy it cold as a refreshing salad. Just make sure to give it a good toss before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Broccoli Salad contains roughly 232 calories, with 10g protein, 51g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (89% of the Daily Value), protein (21% of the Daily Value), and calcium (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli; just steam it briefly until it's heated through. However, fresh broccoli tends to have a better texture and flavor in this salad. If using frozen, be sure to drain any excess water after cooking.
What can I substitute for bulgur?
Quinoa or couscous are excellent substitutes for bulgur in this recipe. Both will absorb the flavors well, and they cook quickly. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, quinoa is the way to go.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and replace it with chickpeas or tofu for protein. You can also enhance the salad with additional vegetables like bell peppers or carrots, and keep the remaining ingredients for flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).