Last Updated on February 28, 2024
Today, we’re going to be looking at an Optavia chicken salad recipe…or two! Following the Optavia diet is one of the latest food crazes, particularly in the US. You can choose from several plans, which even come with your own coach to help you along the way. With summer almost here, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a crisp, fresh salad. But which salads can you enjoy when following the Optavia diet? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Optavia?
You may have already heard of Optavia. If not, it’s a diet that encourages weight loss, by eating less carbs and consuming fewer calories. Alongside the range of plans they have to offer, you’ll also receive personalized coaching tips to help you to reach your goal. They have a selection of dishes which are already pre-packaged called Lean and Green meals, as well as a whole host of ideas and inspiration to get you cooking at home.
What Is Chicken Salad?
We all know what a chicken salad is! The main two ingredients are usually chicken and lettuce. And usually paired with a range of other vegetables and seasonings. Salads are super easy to make and don’t require much time or effort, at all.
Ingredients in chicken salad
We’ll be taking a look at a few chicken salad recipes that are suitable for the Optavia diet. But my personal favorite contains the following ingredients:
- chicken breasts
- tomatoes
- cucumber
- red bell pepper
- green bell pepper
- lettuce
- mayonnaise
- olive oil
- oregano
- black pepper
- salt
What Is The Average Weight Loss On Optavia?
The average weight loss on Optavia will change depending on which plan you are following. Their most popular plan is the Optimal Weight 5 &1 Plan. On this particular plan, the average weight loss in 3 months is around 12lb. However, it’s always best to consult your doctor or dietician before starting up a new diet; particularly one as regimented as Optava.
Optavia Chicken Salad Recipe #1
This recipe is inspired by one from Delicious Cooks. Let’s take a look at how to make the first of our salad picks.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup of tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of cucumber
- 1/4 cup of red pepper
- 1/4 cup of green pepper
- 1/2 cup of lettuce
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of oregano
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- salt (to taste)
Recipe
Now all you need to do is:
Step 1: Marinate
Grab a mixing bowl and add the oil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Mix well. Once mixed, add the chicken breast and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prep
Once the chicken is marinating, prepare the vegetables. After washing all the vegetables, cut the cucumber, peppers, and lettuce to the desired size. Try to keep the vegetables the same size and then leave to one side.
Step 3: Fry
Put a pan on a medium-low heat and add one tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, it’s time to add the marinated chicken. Ensure you fry the chicken on both sides and keep turning over throughout the cooking process. The chicken is cooked when the juices run clear and there is no pink meat. Once cooked, remove from pan and place into a bowl.
Step 4: Create
In a mixing bowl, add your chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, and green pepper. Mix well and then add your olive oil and mayonnaise. Combine the ingredients with a serving spoon and season with salt and pepper. You should now have a creamy salad that’s ready to serve – enjoy!
Optavia Chicken Salad Recipe #2
The next recipe we’re going to be looking at is a little different – and much easier (you didn’t think it was possible, right?). This recipe is inspired by Optavia Lean and Green and is much less traditional than a standard chicken salad. Let’s take a look at how to make curried chicken salad wraps.
Ingredients
The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:
- 10oz of chicken breast (canned)
- 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (plain)
- 1/2 cup of celery (diced)
- 2 teaspoons of curry powder
- 2 tablespoons of parsley (chopped)
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2oz of peanuts (chopped)
- 1 large lettuce (Romaine)
Recipe
Now all you need to do is:
Grab a bowl and add the chicken, yogurt, celery, curry powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined. Now take off a lettuce leaf, place your chicken salad mix into the middle, sprinkle on some peanuts and wrap the lettuce as you would a tortilla – your curried wraps are ready to serve!
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you to become more familiar with an Optavia chicken salad recipe. The great thing about salads is that they’re perfect throughout the year, but particularly in summer. They can be light and refreshing – and the best part? They’re extremely good for you!
Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to making the ideal chicken salad for summer? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!
Optavia Chicken Salad Recipe: How To
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup of tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of cucumber
- 1/4 cup of red pepper
- 1/4 cup of green pepper
- 1/2 cup of lettuce
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of oregano
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- salt (to taste)
Instructions
- MarinateGrab a mixing bowl and add the oil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Mix well. Once mixed, add the chicken breast and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes.2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of oregano, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, salt (to taste), 2 chicken breasts
- PrepOnce the chicken is marinating, prepare the vegetables. After washing all the vegetables, cut the cucumber, peppers, and lettuce to the desired size. Try to keep the vegetables the same size and then leave to one side.1/2 cup of tomatoes, 1/2 cup of cucumber, 1/4 cup of green pepper, 1/2 cup of lettuce, 1/4 cup of red pepper
- FryPut a pan on a medium-low heat and add one tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, it's time to add the marinated chicken. Ensure you fry the chicken on both sides and keep turning over throughout the cooking process. The chicken is cooked when the juices run clear and there is no pink meat. Once cooked, remove from pan and place into a bowl.
- CreateIn a mixing bowl, add your chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, and green pepper. Mix well and then add your olive oil and mayonnaise. Combine the ingredients with a serving spoon and season with salt and pepper. You should now have a creamy salad that's ready to serve - enjoy!2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
Nutrition
FAQs
How Many Greens do You Eat on Optavia?
The Optavia diet suggests that you have 3 servings of vegetables for each Lean & Green Meal. If you're only having one vegetable variety, you can have three servings of the same vegetable for one meal - just be sure to adjust the amount accordingly.
What Salad Can I Have With Optavia?
Of course! There are so many options when it comes to salad when following the Optavia diet. From shrimp salad, to taco salad, to salmon salad - as long as you're following the diet plan, you can enjoy a salad.
Can You Eat Rotisserie Chicken on Optavia?
Yes. However, you can only have the breast or white meat of the chicken; and the skin must be removed before eating.
What Cheese Can You Have on Optavia?
If you're following the diet strictly, you can add small amounts of blue cheese, feta cheese, parmesan or cream cheese. You may also like to add reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese or reduced fat shredded mozzarella.
My name is Ania, and I am very glad to see you here. I have always loved cooking; even some of my earliest memories are flipping through a cookbook and making pudding standing on a stool because I was too small to reach the stove.
You should know that I am not a professionally trained chef, just a big food lover who grew up in a family obsessed with cooking and focused on what we eat.
