Lunch: Budget-Friendly BBQ Chicken Salad

Who doesn't like barbecued chicken during the summer? Tossing it in with some lower carb vegetables and turkey bacon makes for a salad that will be popular with the entire family. Serve it with some whole wheat garlic bread, if desired.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Romaine Lettuce, Chicken Breast

Health benefits of Budget-Friendly BBQ Chicken Salad

Romaine lettuce contains chromium, which helps maintain normal blood glucose levels by making insulin more efficient. The chromium in romaine lettuce also promotes weight loss due to its ability to help control cravings, reduce hunger, and control fat in the blood.

Skinless chicken breast, often heralded for its lean nutritional profile, is undeniably a powerhouse when it comes to protein content. With an impressive 21 grams of protein packed into every 100 grams of the breast, it emerges as a preferred choice for those conscious about their protein intake. Delving deeper into the nutritional matrix of chicken, one can't overlook the copious amounts of vitamin B6 it houses. This particular vitamin plays an indispensable role in our body, especially when discussing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) management.

For individuals grappling with PCOS, the internal hormonal turbulence can be overwhelming, often leading to a spike in testosterone and androgen levels. This is where vitamin B6 comes into the spotlight. Acting as a balancer, vitamin B6 diligently works behind the scenes to keep these hormones in check, ensuring they don't surge beyond desirable levels. It is this equilibrium that becomes paramount for those earnestly looking to curtail the excessive flow of testosterone and androgen. In the broader spectrum of PCOS management, incorporating foods rich in vitamin B6, like chicken breast, can be a strategic move, providing both nutritional sustenance and hormonal balance.

Ingredients

Cooking Spray
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup barbeque sauce
4 pieces turkey bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
2 carrots, shredded
16 ounce bag chopped romaine lettuce
½ medium red onion (or 1 small), small dice
1 large cucumber, small dice
1 large tomato, seeded and small dice
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup fat-free poppy seed dressing

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Line the sheet with chicken breasts and brush each generously with barbeque sauce. Bake for 30 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken is 165 degrees F. Set aside to cool.
In a large salad bowl, toss together bacon, carrots, lettuce, onion, cucumber, tomatoes, salt (optional), and pepper.
Once chicken is cool, chop into small pieces and toss with the salad ingredients.
Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
Recipe Cost: $9.93

Share Budget-Friendly BBQ Chicken Salad