Golden Crunch Chef Salad with Toasted Seeds and Citrus
This vibrant, flavor-packed salad is everything a weeknight dinner should be — nourishing, exciting, and completely satisfying. Inspired by the classic chef salad but elevated with MIND diet-friendly twists, it features crisp breaded chicken, garden-fresh greens, cucumbers, radishes, and juicy orange slices. Toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds bring crunch, while quick-pickled red onions add a tangy bite. Sliced Medjool dates offer little bursts of rich sweetness that perfectly balance the savory flavors. Drizzled with a creamy golden curry ranch dressing, this salad feels indulgent but is actually packed with brain-healthy ingredients. It’s fast enough for a busy night and beautiful enough to serve to guests.
Ingredients
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 2 large radishes, finely sliced
- 2 small tomato, chopped
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 oranges, sliced
- 5 Medjool dates, sliced
- 3 tbsp walnuts
- 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- quick pickled red onions, or just red onion, finely sliced
- 3 cups cooked chicken
Instructions
- Toast the nuts and seeds in a dry skillet or pan over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare your veggies – wash and dry lettuce, slice cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, and oranges.
- Chop the chicken and dates. Drain the pickled onions if needed.
- Layer the salad in a large bowl or on a platter: start with lettuce, then add veggies, chicken, dates, nuts, and seeds.
- Drizzle with the dressing and scatter the pickled red onions on top.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with Creamy Golden Curry Ranch with Chives dressing.
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Eat well for the long run — with simple meals you’ll actually enjoy. Inspired by the MIND Diet, our meals are designed to support your brain, protect your body, and fit into real life.