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30 Minutes or Less

Chicken Fajita Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

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chicken fajita salad in a bowl with cilantro lime dressing on top and on the side.

I’m here to tell you that salads CAN be delicious, and this chicken fajita salad proves that! It’s fresh, loaded (…& I mean LOADED) with flavor, and high in protein. It’s similar to my reader-favorite Mediterranean grilled chicken salad, but with a Mexican-inspired marinade instead. And I actually stole the cilantro-lime dressing recipe from my steak salad, but shhh don’t tell anyone! I swear it’s just as incredible in this fajita salad too.

ALSO, you guys know I’m obsessed with meal prep, so I made sure this salad could also be easily meal prepped! To do that, I assemble and divide the salads between four food storage containers. Then, I make the cilantro-lime dressing and store it in a separate jar. When I’m ready to eat, I simply remove one of my meal prepped fajita salads from the fringe, toss it in some dressing, then enjoy! So easy and SO. DAMN. DELICIOUS.

close up image of chicken fajita salad in a bowl.

What You’ll Need to Make Chicken Fajita Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

Chicken Marinade: The marinade infuses the chicken with bold flavors, so don’t rush this step; allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to maximize taste.

Chicken Cutlets: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets for quicker cooking, or butterfly regular chicken breasts to ensure even thickness and faster grilling!

Bell Peppers: For added smokiness, grill the bell peppers alongside the chicken or use a cast-iron skillet for a charred flavor.

Pumpkin Seeds: Roasted pumpkin seeds provide a delightful crunch and keep this salad recipe gluten-free. However, feel free to swap them out for toasted almonds or crispy tortilla strips if you’d like.

Cilantro-Lime Dressing: Customize the dressing’s sweetness by adjusting the honey or maple syrup according to your taste preference. You can also add all dressing ingredients to a blender (no need to chop the cilantro or garlic if you do) then blend until smooth!

chicken fajita salad with cilantro lime dressing in a bowl.

Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken to ensure even browning and avoid steaming.
  • For extra flavor, grill the chicken instead of pan-searing it! I love doing this in the summertime – easier cleanup, and super delicious.
  • Make extra dressing—it’s versatile and adds incredible flavor to other salads or grilled veggies! Or, skip the dressing altogether and use your favorite store-bought dressing for an even easier meal.
  • Feel free to customize this salad based on what you love! Not a fan of chicken? Marinate and cook steak instead. Or if you want to add a little cheese, go right ahead!
Chicken Fajita Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
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Chicken Fajita Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

Elevate your salad game with this fresh and flavorful chicken fajita salad! Marinated chicken, sauteed peppers and onions, crisp romaine lettuce, and a quick homemade cilantro-lime dressing. This salad is bursting with delicious flavor!

Ingredients

  • For the marinade:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

  • 1/2 tablespoon cumin

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, or regular paprika

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • For the salad:

  • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breast cutlets, or 2 chicken breasts sliced horizontally to create 4 chicken cutlets

  • 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and sliced

  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cored and sliced

  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cored and sliced

  • 1/2 green bell pepper, cored and sliced

  • 5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 2 avocados, clised

  • 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

  • For the cilantro-lime dressing:

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 1/4 cup lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

  • Whisk marinade ingredients together in a large bowl, then add in the chicken breasts. Coat the chicken in the marinade, then cover and let it sit while you prep the rest of your salad.
    • chicken-fajita-salad-step-1
  • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add about a teaspoon of oil to the skillet, then add in the sliced onion and peppers. Cook the peppers and onions for about 3-5 minutes, or until cooked to your liking. Remove the peppers and onions from the skillet and set aside.
    • chicken-fajita-salad-step-2
  • Return your skillet to medium-high heat, then add the chicken cutlets to the skillet. Cook chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 165° Fahrenheit. Remove chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing.
    • chicken-fajita-salad-step-3
  • Now, make the cilantro-lime dressing by adding all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisking together to combine.
    • chicken-fajita-salad-step-4
  • Assemble the salad by placing the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cooked peppers and onions, cooked then sliced chicken, avocado, and pumpkin seeds to a large bowl. Drizzle the cilantro-lime dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately or, meal prep this salad ahead of time by storing the dressing separately. Then, right before serving, pour dressing over the salad and enjoy!

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

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overhead image of healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls with rice and broccoli.

These healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls come together in under 20 minutes! Fresh ginger, garlic, tamari to make it gluten-free, and honey to naturally sweeten things up. Ditch the takeout this week, and make this healthier recipe instead!

close-up image of healthy teriyaki chicken

What You’ll Need to Make Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Chicken Breast: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces cooks in just a matter of minutes! However, feel free to use any piece/cut of chicken you’d like. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, replace the chicken with salmon or tofu – the possibilities are endless!

Ginger: Fresh, grated ginger adds tons of delicious fresh flavor to our healthy teriyaki chicken. I usually purchase a bunch of fresh ginger (it’s pretty cheap!) and store it in my freezer until I need to use it. But if you can’t find fresh ginger, feel free to use just 1 teaspoon of dried ground ginger in its place.

Tamari: What is tamari? Tamari is simply gluten-free soy sauce. It tastes exactly the same as soy sauce, but is 100% gluten-free. It’s safe for people who suffer from celiac disease or a gluten intolerance! However, if you’re fine with gluten, go ahead and use soy sauce in this recipe instead.

Honey: A refined sugar-free sweetener to help balance this teriyaki sauce! You won’t notice the difference between this honey-sweetened sauce and the sauce you’d order at a restaurant.

healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls with sliced green onion on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • I served my healthy teriyaki chicken over white rice with a side of steamed broccoli, but feel free to serve yours with whatever you’d like! Brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice make a great base to these bowls. Also, any steamed veggie will pair perfectly with this meal!
  • The chicken cooks pretty quickly in this recipe, thanks to it being cut into such small pieces. Therefore, keep an eye on it and be careful not to overcook the chicken. It should only take a few minutes to cook through!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, which is 100% gluten-free.
  • Make it Vegan/Vegetarian: Replace the chicken with pressed and cubed tofu, and the honey with maple syrup!
  • Make it Paleo: To make a paleo teriyaki chicken, simply replace the honey with maple syrup and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce – it’s that easy! Also, serve over cauliflower rice or with extra steamed veggies, instead of white rice.
Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls
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Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

5 from 6 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DinnerDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

These healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls come together in under 20 minutes! Fresh ginger, garlic, tamari to make it gluten-free, and honey to naturally sweeten things up. Ditch the takeout this week, and make this healthier recipe instead!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 tablespoons avocado oil

  • pinch of salt

  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/4 cup tamari, or soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon corn starch

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • For serving:

  • 2 cups cooked rice

  • 1 crown broccoli, steamed

  • sliced green onions

  • sesame seeds

Directions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, add in the chicken and sprinkle with salt. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to low, add in the ginger and garlic, cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add in the tamari or soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, and honey, mix together. 
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch has dissolved. Transfer corn starch and water to the sauce along with the cooked chicken. 
  • Stir until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Divide between four bowls with rice and broccoli, then top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Storage: Store the rice and vegetables in a separate container than the teriyaki chicken. Place them both in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

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OTHER HEALTHY RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

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30 Minutes or Less

Jennifer Aniston Salad

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close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl

The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad with pistachios and dressing on the side.

Jennifer Aniston recently described her perfect salad as, “bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.” And OMG the internet went CRAZY for it! Recipes similar to the salad the Friends actress described quickly popped up all over TikTok. The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral. So, as a foodie and fellow salad-lover, I had to give it a try for myself.

My version of the salad contains everything Jennifer described – bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios – my only addition is a simple lemon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper dressing. Since Jen didn’t offer up a dressing herself, this is what I envisioned a salad like this being tossed in. And let me tell you, it TOTALLY lived up to the hype!

Dressing being poured over the Jennifer Aniston salad.

What You’ll Need to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa – In keeping this super authentic to Jen’s recipe, I used bulgur wheat in my salad. However, bulgur wheat can be hard to come by, so I also offer up the option to use quinoa instead. Both are hearty, protein-rich, super nutritious grains. Never had bulgur wheat? It’s most similar to farro or barley, but smaller grain. Bulgur wheat has a nice nutty flavor, and will keep you full without feeling weighed down.

Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas – What’s the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? Literally nothing! They’re two names for the exact same thing. Jennifer Aniston called them “garbanzo beans,” but I call them “chickpeas,” so that’s what we’re sticking with. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially in this salad recipe!

Feta Cheese – Greek brined white cheese, made from sheep’s milk. Feta adds the perfect salty bite to this salad! And because it’s made with sheep’s milk, it has a lower lactose content. Meaning, those whoe are lactose intolerant (aka ME!), may have an easier time tolerating feta cheese. I, personally, can enjoy it in small amounts without any issue. However, if you can’t tolerate feta, or simply need a dairy-free option, check out my “make it vegan” section below!

Parsley and Mint – Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! Fresh parsley and mint are my favorite parts of this salad. They add a super fresh and vibrant component to this recipe. Therefore, don’t leave ’em out!

close-up overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Yes, bulgur wheat contains gluten. Therefore, opt for quinoa instead of bulgur wheat to make this Jennifer Aniston salad entirely gluten-free.

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For a vegan/dairy-free salad, either leave out the feta cheese, or replace it with your favorite vegan feta. I love the Violife Vegan Feta, it tastes and crumbles just like the real thing!

Jennifer Aniston Salad
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Jennifer Aniston Salad

4 from 13 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

    The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

    Ingredients

    • For the bulgur wheat/quinoa:

    • 1 cup bulgur wheat or quinoa, dry

    • 2 cups water or vegetable broth

    • For the salad dressing:

    • 1/2 cup olive oil

    • 1/2 cup lemon juice

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    • For the salad:

    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

    • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped

    • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

    • 1/2 red onion, diced

    • 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped

    • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

    • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

    Directions

    • Add either bulgur wheat or quinoa to a small saucepan, along with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes. Once bulgur wheat or quinoa has absorbed all liquid, remove from heat and let stand covered for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove lid and fluff with a fork.
    • While the bulgur wheat or quinoa cooks, make the salad dressing by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
    • Add cooked bulgur wheat or quinoa to a large bowl, along with the remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss, then either serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Leaving the salad to chill for a few hours before eating will increase the flavor!
    • Leftover salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. No need to store the dressing separately.

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats

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    close up image of stuffed zucchini boats in a baking dish with fresh basil on top.

    Easy, healthy, and extra delicious Italian stuffed zucchini boats! This low-carb meal comes together in under 30 minutes, with only 5 (!!!) ingredients. The ultimate lazy, yet super healthy dinner recipe.

    overhead image of zucchini boats on a plate with white wine on the side.

    What You’ll Need to Make Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Zucchini – This summer vegetable is super cheap and easy to find! Start by slicing a zucchini in half, then removing the seeds and some of the flesh from inside. You’ll be left with two zucchini “boats,” ready to be filled with our delicious Italian sausage in sauce.

    Italian Sausage – Feel free to use whatever kind of Italian sausage you’d like! Though make sure it’s uncooked and removed from its casings before cooking. As it cooks, break the sausage up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink. Italian sausage is packed with herbs and spices, adding even more flavor to this already super flavorful dish.

    Marinara Sauce – I use and love Rao’s marinara sauce for when I don’t feel like making it myself. Rao’s is perfectly tangy, has tons of flavor, with just a hint of sweetness. However, you can totally use your favorite jarred marinara sauce for this recipe. Or, if you have some time to spare, go ahead and throw together a homemade sauce to use instead.

    Dried Italian Seasoning – The final step before cooking these zucchini boats is sprinkling them with a little bit of dried Italian seasoning. I love the flavor this packs, but it’s totally optional if you’re not feeling up to it or don’t have any on-hand.

    overhead image of zucchini boats in a baking dish.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Finish off these Italian stuffed zucchini boats with fresh-grated parmesan cheese! It rounds out the Italian flavors in this dish, and make it that much more delicious. Also, who doesn’t love a little bit of cheese?!
    • You can easily prep-then-freeze this dish ahead of time! To do this, follow each step of the recipe, up to cooking it. Then, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, before freezing for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply defrost, then bake as instructed.
    • This is a great, healthy meal to prep for a crowd! Simply double or triple the amounts listed in the recipe below, and you can feed a whole army (ok …maybe not an entire army, but you get the point). I love throwing this quick and easy zucchini recipe together for friends and family, it’s a total crowd-favorite!
    close-up image of zucchini boat being cut into with a fork.

    Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Gluten-Free: These zucchini boats are already gluten-free! However, to be absolutely certain they don’t contain any traces of gluten, check your sausage and marinara sauce packaging to make sure those ingredient are entirely gluten-free.

    Make it Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version of this recipe, replace the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast!

    Make it Vegan: Replace the sausage with your favorite vegan meat substitute, and cook it with an additional teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning. Then, similar to the dairy-free version, top with nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese.

    Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
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    Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    25

    minutes
    Total time

    30

    minutes

    Easy, healthy, and extra delicious Italian stuffed zucchini boats! This low-carb meal comes together in under 30 minutes, with only 5 (!!!) ingredients. The ultimate lazy, yet super healthy dinner recipe.

    Ingredients

    • 2 large zucchini, cut in half lengthwise

    • salt and black pepper, to taste

    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil

    • 1 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)

    • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, optional

    • grated parmesan cheese, for serving

    Directions

    • Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
    • Using a spoon, scoop out and remove the seeds and a little bit of the flesh from each zucchini half.
    • Sprinkle zucchini with salt and black pepper, then place inside a large baking dish and set aside.
    • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add in the Italian sausage and cook until no longer pink. Break up the meat as it cooks, should take about 5 minutes.
    • Add marinara sauce to the skillet, reduce heat to low and simmer sausage in sauce for 2-3 minutes.
    • Spoon the sauce mixture into the cavity of each zucchini half, then evenly sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and zucchini is tender. Serve warm with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

    Recipe Video

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