Summer Detox Cucumber Noodle (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumber noodles with chili-lime grilled chicken and fresh vegetables in a light, vibrant dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chili-Lime Grilled Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Zest and juice of 2 limes
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Cucumber Noodle Salad

10 - 3 large cucumbers, spiralized or julienned
11 - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 cup carrots, julienned
13 - 1/2 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
14 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced

→ Lime Dressing

17 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
19 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
20 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
21 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
22 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
23 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
24 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring complete coverage. Marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While chicken marinates and cooks, spiralize or julienne cucumbers and carrots. Combine in a large bowl with bell pepper, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions.
05 - In a small jar or bowl, shake or whisk all dressing ingredients together until fully emulsified and well incorporated.
06 - Toss prepared vegetables with dressing, ensuring even coating throughout all components.
07 - Divide cucumber noodle salad among serving plates. Top each portion with sliced chili-lime chicken. Garnish with additional cilantro or lime wedges as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and summery while actually making you feel energized, not sluggish.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can make it on a Tuesday without planning your entire week around dinner.
  • Those cucumber noodles are crisp and refreshing without any of that sad, wilted salad energy.
02 -
  • Over-marinating chicken can sometimes make it mushy—trust me, I learned this by leaving it overnight—so 15 minutes to 2 hours is the sweet spot.
  • The dressing is best added just before serving because these vegetables release water quickly, and nobody wants a pool of liquid at the bottom of their bowl.
03 -
  • Make extra dressing because these ingredients are thirsty, and a properly dressed salad is the difference between memorable and mediocre.
  • If you don't have a spiralizer, a vegetable peeler creates ribbons that are equally lovely and require zero special equipment.
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