A quick and easy High Protein Hummus Chicken Salad that makes a perfect, healthy weeknight dinner or filling desk lunch that you’ll love!
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Table of Contents
I’m starting your day off with a little poetry:
AN ODE TO PANERA:
Oh Panera, you make me smile.
With your delicious cinnamon crunch bagels, I could stay awhile
The smell of fresh baked treats
Makes me want to eat eat eat!
You have delicious cauliflower soups and healthy pasta salads as well
Oh Panera, you sure are swell!
If you’re wondering why we started that way, it’s because this salad is a recreation of their hummus chicken power salad that is just SO DANG GOOD that I had to try making it myself!
How to add Protein to Salads
Ok, so there’s so many things I ADORE about salads.
There is such a variety of types of salads- some use greens, some use grains, some use both! Some use veggies and savory dressing, and others add some sweetness with fruit for that fun pop of flavor! SO SO much to love! One thing that can be frustrating about a salad, though, is that some salads just aren’t filling enough to be a meal, so what we all need is a good high protein salad.
A couple of protein rich salads I love are Grilled Thai Beef Salad and Shrimp Avocado Salad with Watermelon. Here are some ways to add protein to your salad that will jazz it up, give you the energy you need to tackle your busy day, and keep you full, too:
Meat
A popular meat to put in salad is chicken. It’s lean, it can be cooked and seasoned many different ways, and it also tastes good either hot or cold in a salad. Beef can also be used- I love ground beef in taco salads and strips of seasoned beef in any type of salad!
Chickpeas
I am such a fan of chickpeas, which I told you in the creamy chickpea curry ! They will add that boost of protein you’re looking for, they’re easy to cook, and they taste delicious!
QuinoaÂ
Quinoa is so versatile, and you can throw it in healthy turkey quinoa stuffed peppers or make quinoa crusted chicken. OR quinoa is such a fun way to add protein to a salad, because it has a mild taste, a great texture, and pairs well with greens, other grains, fruits and vegetables.
Eggs
Eggs are great because they contain a lot of protein and keep you full! Hard boil them or soft boil them, then slice onto a salad to kick it up a notch!
Is Hummus Healthy?
YES! Hummus is most definitely a healthy food to add to your diet. It is a popular middle eastern dip and spread that happens to be loaded with vitamins, minerals, and protein, thanks to the chickpeas! Chickpeas are packed with fiber, folate, vitamins A, E and C as well as magnesium, potassium and iron! Hummus is a delicious and nutritious way to nourish your body and keep it full and energized as you go about your busy day.
High Protein Chicken Hummus Salad IngredientsÂ
This salad really hits the mark because it tastes great, includes nourishing ingredients fills your belly and keeps you full! I really think you’re going to love it as much as I do- let’s gather the ingredients! For this salad, you will need:
- Spinach Leaves
- Tomato
- Large Cucumber
- Red Onion
- Chicken Breasts
- Jalapeno Lime Hummus- check it out here
Recipe Variations
One thing I love about creating delicious food to enjoy is that you can always switch things up, add ingredients or take them away, and make it just right for YOU and the ones you love! Here are a few ways to play with this salad:Â
Hummus: This recipe uses my jalapeno lime hummus, but you can use other flavors of hummus and it will still turn out amazing! Check out Kale easy homemade hummus without tahini or Mexican Lentil Homemade Hummus for that Mexican flair!
Veggies: This protein salad uses cucumber, red onion, and tomato, but you can easily add in some red, yellow, or orange bell pepper to add some color and crunch!Â
Sprouts: Add a handful of alfalfa sprouts to up the protein in this salad even more!
This Salad Is perfect for Desk Lunches
This High Protein Chicken Hummus Salad would be such a great choice for lunch at work when you’ve got a deadline to meet and can’t leave the office over the lunch break! It’s loaded with not only protein and healthy carbs, but tastes great and will satisfy your hunger in a snap!
No more sad desk lunches! Hooray!
Other Healthy Chicken Salads
Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe
Curry Easy Dairy Free Paleo Chicken Salad
Strawberry Salad with Grilled Nectarines
Ingredients
- 6 Cups Spinach leaves
- 1 Large tomato sliced
- 1/2 a Large cucumber sliced
- 1/2 a Small red onion sliced
- 2 Chicken breasts (4 oz each, raw)
- Jalapeno Lime Hummus {from HERE}
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a small baking sheetwith cooking spray.
- Cut any visible fat off your chicken breasts and bake until no longer pink inside, 20-25 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together the spinach, sliced tomato, sliced cucumber and sliced red onion. Divide between 2 bowls.
- Top each salad with a sliced chicken breast and as much Hummus as your heart desires.
- DEVOUR
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE POINTS: 3 Â POINTS+: 2Â OLD POINTS: 1
(without hummus)
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CH says
Oh my word. You and I can be friends. I just got done eating this at Panera and the first thing I did when I got back to my desk is Google to find the recipe! I came across your blog and… well the rest is history! I can’t wait to make this at home! 🙂 Now, back to the beginning… can we be friends?
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! isn’t that salad THE BEST?! So happy to have you here .. Let’s be BFFS FOREVER 😉 Thanks CH!
Leigh Norton says
Thanks for this recipe. I have printed and will be making this week. I have never heard of Panera but love it when people make copycats of great recipes to try at home.
Taylor Kiser says
Panera is the BEST! I’m so sad you don’t have it wherever you live! But please let me know how it turns out! 😀
Staci @ 3 Plus a Bunny says
This looks sooooo delish! I share your enthusiasm for Panera (I’m Canadian, too) and this salad is right up my alley! Can’t wait to make it.
Taylor Kiser says
Isn’t it the best!? When all my relatives come down from Canada to visit, they basically live there! I hope you love it! Thanks Staci!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I know I am going to sound really lame when I say that I have only been to Panera like maybe 3 times, and one of those times was to buy smoothies for my kids. I didn’t grow up with them either, but that’s not because I’m Canadian, it’s because I am so oooold! Lol! Love this copycat!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha you are NOT old friend! But you do need to go to Panera STAT. So epic. Thanks!
Amy Stafford says
Panera is pretty awesome, always my go to when I need a healthy lunch on the go. This salad is an awesome copycat, looks just like the original.
Taylor Kiser says
Isn’t it the best?! Totally love it. Thanks Amy!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Gorgeous and healthy looking salad bowl Taylor!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Cynthia!