Macadamia Free Tropical Chicken Salad with Mango
Bright, juicy mango meets tender poached chicken in a salad that tastes like a vacation on a plate. The chicken is gently simmered with fresh ginger slices until perfectly cooked through, then shredded and tossed with crisp cucumber, shredded carrot, scallion greens, and torn cilantro for a bowl that's as colorful as it is satisfying. A zippy dressing of coconut aminos, fresh lime juice, olive oil, grated ginger, and a touch of turmeric ties everything together with a warm, citrusy punch. Tropical salads can sometimes lean on nuts for texture and richness, but this one earns all its excitement from fresh produce and a boldly seasoned dressing — no nuts required, and nothing feels missing. Serving it in butter lettuce cups makes it feel a little fancy with almost zero extra effort, though a simple bowl works just as well. It's the kind of dish that's light enough to feel refreshing but substantial enough to actually keep you full.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the chicken
- 1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 3 slices fresh ginger (each about ¼ inch thick)
For the dressing
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For the salad
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced into ¾-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
- 1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded (about 1 cup)
- 4 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly torn
For serving
- 4 large butter lettuce leaves, for serving (optional)
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the chicken breasts in a medium saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Add the salt and ginger slices. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 14–16 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- 2
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Discard the poaching liquid and ginger slices.
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