Perfectly Balanced Recipes for a Healthy Meal

In today's fast-paced world, finding recipes that cater to both your taste buds and your health is becoming increasingly important. A balanced meal includes the right combination of proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats which not only satiate hunger but also contribute towards overall well-being. This article focuses on a simple yet nutritious recipe - Grilled Chicken Salad with Mixed Vegetables.

The key to any successful salad is selecting ingredients that are fresh and in-season. For our grilled chicken salad, we recommend using chicken breasts seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. The cooking time for this dish will depend on the thickness of your chicken breast but should ideally be around 15 minutes under medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 74°C or 165°F to ensure it's thoroughly cooked.

For a hearty portion, you’ll need four servings. Here’s how we prepare this meal:

• Four skinless chicken breast halves
• Salt and pepper to taste for seasoning
• Mixed vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red bell peppers, and shredded carrots
• A small head of romaine lettuce finely chopped into bite-sized pieces
• Celery sticks cut into chunks
• Avocado diced into cubes
• Olives if desired to add a bit more flavor depth
• Vinaigrette dressing made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper mixed in a ratio of 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar
• Freshly ground black pepper for garnishing at the end if you like it extra sharp

Begin by preheating your grill to medium heat. Once it has reached temperature, place the chicken breasts on the grill grates. Grill each side for about three minutes or until they start turning golden brown and easily separate from the grill. Keep an eye on them so that they don't overcook; cooking time may vary slightly depending on their thickness.

While the chicken is grilling, prepare your vegetables by washing all produce thoroughly under cold water. Then slice or chop everything into pieces suitable for tossing together later in the salad. You might want to lightly steam some of the more delicate greens like spinach if you prefer them cooked rather than raw; just make sure they don’t become too soft as that can affect their texture when mixed with other ingredients.

Once your chicken has finished cooking, let it cool slightly before slicing into thin strips. You could also chop the meat while still warm which makes for easier handling but requires more care to avoid burning yourself. At this point, mix all of your prepped vegetables along with any additional toppings such as olives or avocado according to personal preference.

Now comes the dressing step where you combine your olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well combined. Pour this mixture over top of all the prepared salad components stirring gently so that each piece gets coated evenly. Taste test to see if there is anything missing from either flavor or texture-wise. Adjust seasoning accordingly.

To serve, arrange portions of grilled chicken salad onto plates decorated with fresh herbs like parsley leaves sprinkled sparingly throughout for color and aroma enhancement. Garnish the dish further by adding a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right across each plate followed by some freshly ground black pepper if desired.

This salad is not only delicious but also packed full of essential nutrients making it an excellent choice for those looking to eat healthier without compromising on taste or convenience. It’s perfect as part of a balanced meal plan aimed at improving one's diet habits. Whether you're preparing this dish during busy weekdays when time is limited or relaxed weekend evenings when everyone wants something special, this versatile recipe offers just what you need.