Summer Detox Cucumber Noodles (Print Version)

Light dish featuring cucumber noodles, fresh vegetables, and spicy chili-lime grilled chicken.

# 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-Herb 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them, ensuring even coating. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor development.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked with clear juices. 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 jar or small bowl, shake or whisk together all dressing ingredients until fully emulsified.
06 - Pour dressing over vegetables and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Divide cucumber noodle salad among serving plates. Top with sliced chili-lime grilled chicken. Garnish with additional cilantro or lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and restaurant-quality but takes barely longer than ordering takeout.
  • The cucumber noodles stay crisp and refreshing without ever feeling like a sad diet salad.
  • One bowl gives you lean protein, tons of vegetables, and enough flavor to make you forget you're eating something light.
02 -
  • If you spiralize the cucumbers more than an hour ahead, they'll start releasing water and your salad will be soggy; do this step as close to serving as you can manage.
  • Don't skip the resting period on the chicken—it's only five minutes but it makes the difference between meat that's juicy and meat that's dry.
03 -
  • If you don't have a spiralizer, a sharp knife and steady hand work fine for julienning, or use a vegetable peeler to create thin ribbons that work beautifully.
  • Taste your dressing before you toss it with the vegetables and adjust the salt and lime juice to your preference; this is where you control how bright or balanced it tastes.
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